NEW DELHI: Even as Bengali actor-turned BJP leader Joy Banerjee on Wednesday apologised for his controversial remark that “Election Commission is in our hands,” the BJP distanced itself from his comments saying that he was not a party spokesperson or the party seconds any such comments.
The Election Commission had issued a notice to BJP chief Amit Shah on Tuesday on Banerjee’s controversial comments. The party in its reply to the Election Commission of India said it upheld the dignity, independence and autonomy of the commission.
While, Banerjee tendered his apology before the state chief electoral officer in Kolkata, the national BJP unit replied to chief election commissioner in Delhi. The BJP in its reply to the Election Commission said that Banerjee did not represent BJP’s official response, while adding that the party did not support or second any individual comments.
Meanwhile, Banerjee in his written apology to the Election Commission said, “I believe that the CEC is the protector of democracy and the pillar of democracy. Hence, I apologise for the words I uttered in over-enthusiam and beg you to pardon me.”
“Let me tell you sir I am neither a office-bearer nor any executive of the BJP state committee,” Banerjee said in his letter.