The Election Commission of India (ECI) has “strongly censured” retired Calcutta High Court judge and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Lok Sabha candidate from West Bengal’s Tamluk constituency, Abhijit Gangopadhyay, and imposed a 24-hour campaign ban on him. This decision follows his offensive remarks about West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The ban will be effective from 5 p.m. on May 21.
The ECI expressed deep disappointment, stating, “The Commission painfully notes the fact that such abominable words have come from someone of Shri Abhijit Gangopadhyay’s educational and professional background and hence does not remotely deserve any benefit of doubt. And whereas, by Shri Abhijit Gangopadhyay’s words, he has brought damage and disrepute to the state of West Bengal that has a distinguished tradition of respect for women.”
Gangopadhyay made the controversial remarks during a public meeting in Haldia on May 15, where he said in Bengali, “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.”
In response to a complaint filed by the All India Trinamool Congress on May 16, the ECI issued a show-cause notice to Gangopadhyay on May 17 for violating the Model Code of Conduct. Gangopadhyay submitted his response on May 20.
The ECI’s show-cause notice also sent to BJP president JP Nadda, referenced an April 1 directive which instructed political parties to ensure that no demeaning remarks about women were made during campaigns. Despite this directive, Gangopadhyay’s remarks were deemed a severe violation, prompting the ECI to state, “Most regrettably, however, Shri Abhijit Gangopadhyay has committed the same type of violation to a worse degree. This is deemed as a grave failure to enforce one of the most basic conducts in the election campaign, even after clear directions from the Commission.”
The ECI, upon reviewing Gangopadhyay’s response, concluded that his comments constituted a low-level personal attack and thus violated the Model Code of Conduct. Consequently, the ECI barred Gangopadhyay from campaigning for 24 hours.
Gangopadhyay, who resigned as a judge on March 5 and joined the BJP on March 7, is contesting the Lok Sabha elections in the Tamluk constituency, which will vote in the sixth phase on May 25.
