By its order, the ECI barred Gangopadhyay from campaigning for the Lok Sabha elections for a 24-hour period starting from 5 PM today (May 21).
In an order signed by ECI Secretary Rakesh Kumar, the poll body stated that the retired Calcutta High Court judge's remarks brought disrepute to the State which has a culture of respecting women.
The comments were allegedly made during a public meeting held on May 15 at Haldia, which led to a complaint to the ECI by the All-India Trinamool Congress.
Justice Gangopadhyay is reported to have said the following in Bengali:"Mamata Banerjee, how much are you being sold for?
The poll body also asked the BJP leader and former judge to remain careful when he makes public utterances in future.
By its order, the ECI barred Gangopadhyay from campaigning for the Lok Sabha elections for a 24-hour period starting from 5 PM today (May 21).
In an order signed by ECI Secretary Rakesh Kumar, the poll body stated that the retired Calcutta High Court judge's remarks brought disrepute to the State which has a culture of respecting women.
The comments were allegedly made during a public meeting held on May 15 at Haldia, which led to a complaint to the ECI by the All-India Trinamool Congress.
Justice Gangopadhyay is reported to have said the following in Bengali:
"Mamata Banerjee, how much are you being sold for? Your rate is 10 lakh, why? Because you're getting your make up done by Keya Seth? Mamata Banerjee, is she even a woman? I keep wondering sometimes."
The ECI, after going through Gangopadhyay's reply to a show-cause notice, stated that it was convinced that he "made a low-level personal attack and thus violated the provisions of Model Code of Conduct."
The poll body also asked the BJP leader and former judge to remain careful when he makes public utterances in future.
"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; and Now, therefore, the Commission hereby strongly censures Shri Abhijit Gangopadhyay for the above-said misconduct and debars him from campaigning for 24 hours starting from 17.00 hrs of 21st May, 2024," the ECI's order said.
