NEW DELHI: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Friday issued a show cause notice to BJP’s candidate from Tamluk parliamentary constituency in West Bengal, Abhijit Gangopadhyay, for his alleged personal attack on chief minister and TMC leader Mamata Banerjee and asked him to submit his response by 5 PM on May 20.
It is to be noted that the ECI’s action against Gangopadhyay has come days after it received a complaint from the TMC alleging that he had passed objectionable remarks against Banerjee during a public meeting held on May 15 in West Bengal’s Haldia.
In the complaint, the TMC quoted Ex-Calcutta High Court Judge Gangopadhyay as saying, “Mamata Banerjee, how much are you being sold for? Your rate is 10 lakhs, why? Because you’re getting your makeup done by Keya Seth? Mamata Banerjee, is she even a woman? I keep wondering sometimes.”
Keya Seth is a well-known West Bengal-based beautician.
“Whereas, on careful examination, the comment has been found to be improper, injudicious, beyond dignity in every sense of term, in bad taste and to be prima facie violation of the aforesaid provisions of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and Commission’s advisory dated 1st March, 2024,” the poll panel said in the notice, a copy of which is with this newspaper.
It further said, “Now, therefore, you are hereby called upon to show cause by 5 pm of 20th May as to why appropriate action for violation of Model Code of Conduct should not be taken against you.”
The ECI said, “In the event of no response from your side within the stipulated time, it will be presumed that you have nothing to say in the matter and the Election Commission will take appropriate action or decision in the matter without making any further reference to you.”
The BJP has fielded Gangopadhyay from Tamluk seat in West Bengal where voting will be held on May 25.