'Brought Disrepute To West Bengal' : ECI Censures Ex-HC Judge & BJP Candidate For 'Low-Level Attack' Against Mamta Banerjee

The Election Commission of India has debarred former judge of Calcutta High Court and BJP candidate Abhijit Gangopadhyay from campaigning for 24 hours finding his comments on Mamata Banerjee to be “low-level personal attack”.

The action is taken in respect of Gangopadhyay's comments that Mamata Banerjee has sold herself and her "rate" was Rs 10 lakh. He had even asked if she was a woman.

"Mamata Banerjee, how much are you being sold for? Your rate is Rs10 lakh, why? Because you're getting your make-up done by Keya Seth? Mamata Banerjee, is she even a woman? I keep wondering sometimes,” he said on May 15 while addressing an election rally.

After going through the reply of Gangapodhyay to the show-cause notice issued to him, the ECI found that he had made a "low-level personal attack and thus violated the provisions of the Model Code of Conduct."

"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," ECI stated in a strongly worded order.

Stating that it cannot allow any affront to the status of women, the ECi said that his comments "are outrightly condemnable when used in respect of any women, not to speak of a senior political leader and a holder of a constitutional position."

The Commission "painfully noted" that "such abominable words came from someone of Shri Abhijit Gangopadhyay's educational and professional background." Therefore, the poll body stated that no benefit of doubt can be given to him.

It was on March 5 that Gangopadhyay announced his decision to resign as a judge of the Calcutta High Court to join the Bharatiya Janata Party. In a press conference, he said, prior to his resignation, "I also approached the BJP, the BJP also approached me". He is contesting the Lok Sabha elections from Tamluk constituency in West Bengal as a BJP candidate where the voting will be held on May 25.

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