NEW DELHI: The Election Commission (EC) has issued a show cause notice to Former Calcutta High Court judge Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay, a BJP candidate, for his comments directed at West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during a public meeting in Haldia on May 15.
Responding to the notice, BJP candidate Abhijit Gangopadhyay stated, “I will respond to the notice. I have not made any inappropriate remarks about Mamata Banerjee.”
The Commission has determined that his statements breach provisions of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and the ECI advisory from March 1, 2024.
The notice from the Commission described Abhijit Gangopadhyay’s remarks as improper, injudicious, lacking dignity, and in bad taste, prima facie violating the Model Code of Conduct. A response has been requested by May 20.
A complaint from the All India Trinamool Congress alleging objectionable remarks against Mamata Banerjee during the May 15 public meeting in Haldia prompted the Commission’s action.
The notice states, “Upon careful examination, the comment has been found to be improper, injudicious, lacking dignity, and in bad taste, prima facie violating the aforesaid provisions of the Model Code of Conduct and Commission’s advisory dated March 1.”
The Commission has instructed Abhijit Gangopadhyay to provide a response by 17:00 on May 20, failing which appropriate action may be taken without further reference to him.
The offending remarks made by Gangopadhyay on May 15 have been transcribed as, “Mamata Banerjee, how much are you being sold for? Your rate is 10 lakhs, why? Because you’re getting your make up done by Keya Seth? Mamata Banerjee, is she even a woman? I keep wondering sometimes.”
The BJP has nominated Former Calcutta High Court judge Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay as its candidate for West Bengal’s Tamluk Lok Sabha seat, opposing TMC’s Debangshu Bhattacharya.
Abhijit Gangopadhyay, who resigned as a judge of the Calcutta High Court, joined the BJP in March.
Voting in the Tamluk Lok Sabha seat is scheduled for May 25 in Phase 6.