The Election Commission of India on Wednesday sent show-cause notices to BJP leader Dilip Ghosh and Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate for “insulting, offensive and derogatory remarks” against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and actor-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut, respectively.
“… on careful examination, the comment(s) have been found to be ‘undignified and in bad taste’, and to be prima facie violative of provisions of the Model Code of Conduct…” ECI said.
The poll panel sought their response by 5 pm on March 29 as to why appropriate action for violation of the Model Code of Conduct should not be taken against them.
“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,” ECI said in the two separate notices.
Notice to Ghosh for Comments on Mamata Banerjee
The notice to Ghosh came after Trinamool Congress (TMC) filed a complaint against BJP’s former state president and ex-national vice president for his objectionable and disrespectful comment against West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, “which was broadcasted and widely circulated by various news media channels”.
Ghosh, BJP’s Bardhaman-Durgapur Lok Sabha seat candidate, had mocked Banerjee’s family background. A police complaint has also been filed against the BJP leader in this regard.
The notice quoted him saying. “When Didi (Banerjee ) goes to Goa she becomes Goa’s daughter, in Tripura she says I am Tripura’s daughter, decide who is your father, this is not right.”
“The Commission has found the comments to be offensive, insulting and prima facie violative of the provisions of the Model Code of Conduct…,” the poll body said.
Shrinate Served Notice for Comment on Kangana Ranaut
As per the ECI, the notice to Shrinate was issued after a complaint from the BJP. The Congress’ national spokesperson came under fire over a derogatory social media post against actress and BJP’s Mandi Lok Sabha candidate Kangana Ranaut.
The post had a semi-nude picture of a woman with a caption in Hindi saying, “Will someone tell what are the rates in Mandi?” The post has since been deleted.
“The Commission has found the comments to be undignified and in bad taste’ and prima facie violative of the provisions of the Model Code of Conduct and Commission’s advisory…,” the poll body said.
Both Issued Clarifications
Both Ghosh and Shrinate have clarified their statement and post. Ghosh on Wednesday said that he had “merely countered the political statements Mamata had given to mislead people”, adding that he “did not have any personal dispute, grudges or ill will towards Mamata Banerjee.”
Shrinate, just minutes after the social media post went viral, issued a video clarification saying, “Many people have access to my Facebook and Instagram accounts. Someone from them made an extremely inappropriate post today. As soon as I found out, I deleted that post. Everyone who knows me also knows very well that I can never make personal and indecent comments towards any woman. I wanted to know how this happened.”
She sourced the image from a parody account on X on her name, saying it made the objectionable post first.
The ECI has announced the Lok Sabha polls in seven phases between April 19 and June 1. The counting of votes will be done on June 4
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