Election Commission Issues Show Cause Notice to Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay over his “What is your price?” jibe on Mamata Banerjee

The Election Commission of India on Friday issued a show cause notice to the former Calcutta High Court judge and BJP candidate Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay for his “What is your price?” comment on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The poll body found the remarks to be violative of the Model Code of Conduct and has sought an explanation from Gangopadhyay by May 20.

“The comment is improper, injudicious, beyond dignity in every sense of the term, in bad taste and prima facie violative of the provisions of the Model Code of Conduct and Commission’s advisory dated 1st March 2024,” reads the notice issued by the Election Commission.

During a poll rally in Haldia on May 15, Abhijit Gangopadhyay, the BJP candidate from Bengal’s Tamluk constituency made derogatory comments about Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, questioning her integrity and insinuating that she could be bought with money. "Trinamool says Rekha Patra was bought for ₹2000. So, Mamata Banerjee, what is your price, ₹10 lakh?" said the former Calcutta High Court judge. A video of the speech went viral on social media, sparking a massive outcry.

The Trinamool Congress was quick to hit back, and moved the Election Commission on Thursday, asking the poll body to take action against Abhijit Gangopadhyay. "Such denigrating statement (s)/comments(s) being made by Mr. Gangopadhyay is a clear portrayal of his indecent behavior and his misogynistic mindset. It is at least expected that the political representatives of all parties should engage in respectful deeds/utterances irrespective of their political or ideological differences. However, Mr Ganpopadhyay's vulgar and uncouth remark(s)/ comment(s) are completely beyond the grounds of decency and morality. They not only lack decorum but also exhibit a blatant disregard of the only lady Chief Minister, Smt Mamata Banerjee," reads the letter submitted to the Election Commission by TMC.

However, the Bharatiya Janata Party has dismissed such claims, and questioned the authenticity of the viral 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," said BJP leader Samik Bhattacharya.