This is an archive article published on April 5, 2024
BJP approaches EC over Mamata Banerjee’s remarks against PM Modi
The BJP also lodged a complaint highlighting the “offensive language” used by Trinamool Congress MLA Asit Mazumder against its Hooghly candidate Locket Chatterjee.
Mamata had withdrawn her statement from the same stage soon after. (PTI/ Express photo by Partha Paul) PTI)
The BJP has lodged a complaint with the Election Commission of India (ECI) against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for using offensive language against Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a public meeting in Cooch Behar on Thursday and sought immediate action to ensure the “dignity of the campaign” ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
Mamata had withdrawn her statement from the same stage soon after. The BJP also lodged a complaint highlighting the “offensive language” used by Trinamool Congress MLA Asit Mazumder against its Hooghly candidate Locket Chatterjee.
The letter signed by BJP leader Shishir Bajoria read, “It was shocking to hear the use of the offensive word…by Smt Mamata Banerjee, the supremo of Trinamool Congress, who also happens to be the chief minister of the state, especially while referring to the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji (video clip of the Cooch Behar rally attached).”
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“We draw your attention to the multiple guidelines issued by the Commission on maintaining dignity of the campaign. Repeated advisories have been issued to refrain from use of inappropriate, abusive at times, vocabulary against star campaigners of other political party(ies),” it added. “In complete disregard and disrespect to the majesty of the Commission, Smt Mamata Banerjee resorted to use offensive vocabulary even when referring to the Hon’ble Prime Minister…”
“Following in the footsteps of their party supremo we have noticed many TMC campaigners using foul and offensive language, in some cases even when referring to a lady. As an example, we draw your attention to derogatory remarks made on 4th April by TMC MLA for Chunchura Shri Asit Mazumder, referring to our Lok Sabha candidate Smt Locket Chatterjee MP… at a public gathering,” it stated.
“Looking at the seriousness of the complaint, we request immediate appropriate action by the Commission to ensure dignity of the campaign,” the letter appealed to the ECI.
Interestingly, recently former BJP state president and party candidate from Bardhaman-Durgapur seat Dilip Ghosh was reprimanded by the EC as well as the BJP central leadership over his offensive remarks against Mamata Banerjee. The police have also lodged an FIR against Ghosh.
Ravik Bhattacharya is the Chief of Bureau of The Indian Express, Kolkata. Over 20 years of experience in the media industry and covered politics, crime, major incidents and issues, apart from investigative stories in West Bengal, Odisha, Assam and Andaman Nicobar islands. Ravik won the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award in 2007 for political reporting.
Ravik holds a bachelor degree with English Hons from Scottish Church College under Calcutta University and a PG diploma in mass communication from Jadavpur University. Ravik started his career with The Asian Age and then moved to The Statesman, The Telegraph and Hindustan Times. ... Read More