'Low-level personal attack': EC censures BJP's Abhijit Gangopadhyay for remarks against Mamata Banerjee, debars him from campaigning for 24 hours

NEW DELHI: The Election Commission on Tuesday censured BJP leader and former Calcutta high court judge Abhijit Gangopadhyay for his remarks against West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee and barred him from campaigning for 24 hours starting 5pm today. The poll body said Gangopadhyay's words had brought damage and disrepute to the state of West Bengal which has a distinguished tradition of respect for women.

The EC, in its order said, “he has made a low-level attack and thus violated provisions of Model Code of Conduct. Women have commanded highest respect in Indian society, past and present and the Indian constitution and all institutions of the country have constantly pursued the ideas and ideals of ensuring the rights and dignity of women on all fronts and further empowering them.”

The poll body also said the newly inducted BJP leader’s statement is a direct affront on the “erosion of status of women in India”. It said that the EC “painfully” notes that such abdominal words have come from someone of Gangopadhyay’s educational and professional background and hence “doesn’t remotely deserve the benefit of doubt”.

In a purported video, Gangopadhyay was heard wondering about "the amount at which chief minister Mamata Banerjee is getting sold."