The Election Commission took swift action in response to a complaint lodged by the Trinamool Congress, alleging that remarks made by BJP candidate Abhijit Gangopadhyay constituted a "clear portrayal of his indecent behavior and misogynistic mindset."
Former High Court judge and BJP candidate Abhijit Gangopadhyay found himself at the center of controversy as the Election Commission issued a show cause notice to him over his purportedly "improper, undignified" comments directed at West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
The Election Commission's intervention came after the Trinamool Congress lodged a formal complaint against Gangopadhyay, highlighting the "denigrating statement(s)" attributed to him, which they argued reflected a display of indecent conduct and a misogynistic mindset.
Quoting from Gangopadhyay's speech delivered during a public gathering in Haldia on May 15, the TMC emphasized his alleged remarks, including, "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 TMC's complaint characterized Gangopadhyay's comments as "vulgar and uncouth," asserting that they transgressed the bounds of decency and morality. They argued that such remarks not only lacked decorum but also demonstrated a blatant disregard for Mamata Banerjee, the only lady Chief Minister.
In its notice to Gangopadhyay, the Commission explicitly condemned his comments as "improper, injudicious, beyond dignity in every sense of the term, in bad taste," and as contravening the provisions of the Model Code of Conduct.
The Commission has given Gangopadhyay until May 20 to provide a response to the notice.
