ECI bars judge-turned-BJP candidate from campaigning for remarks against Mamata
The Election Commission of India on Tuesday barred Bharatiya Janata Party leader and former Calcutta High Court Judge Abhijit Gangopadhyay from campaigning for 24 hours. This comes in response to Gangopadhyay's "improper, injudicious and undignified remarks" against Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The ECI's ban will be in effect from 5:00pm on Tuesday. The decision comes a day after Gangopadhyay sent his reply to the commission's show-cause notice over his remarks during a public meeting in Haldia district.
TMC filed complaint against Gangopadhyay
The Trinamool Congress had complained to the ECI against Gangopadhyay, accusing him of making "misogynistic" comments. TMC quoted Gangopadhyay speech where he said, "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?...is she even a woman? I keep wondering sometimes." The party's letter to the ECI described his remarks as "vulgar and uncouth," saying they were "completely beyond the grounds of decency and morality."
Video 'fake', TMC conspiracy: BJP
The BJP—responding to the TMC's assertion—had earlier claimed it was a "fake video." "We don't agree with the existence of any such videos. This is a ploy by the TMC to release fake videos and malign the BJP," party Spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya said. "But that won't make any difference in the elections," Bhattacharya added.
ECI notice to Gangopadhyay
On Friday, the ECI issued a notice to the BJP leader, saying that Gangopadhyay's comment was "improper, injudicious, beyond dignity in every sense of term, in bad taste" and prima facie violative of the provisions of the Model Code of Conduct. Notably, the BJP has fielded Gangopadhyay from Tamluk seat in West Bengal where voting will be held in the sixth phase on May 25.
Gangopadhyay joined BJP in March
To recall, in March, Gangopadhyay resigned as Calcutta HC judge and joined the BJP. Gangopadhyay has been a staunch critic of the TMCs government in Bengal. In April 2023, he triggered a controversy after he gave an interview to a TV channel. The then judge was hearing a case related to the "school jobs for cash scam," and spoke about the alleged role of a TMC leader. The Supreme Court had taken strong objection to the incident.
