“What is your price…”: TMC moves EC over BJP Candidate Abhijit Gangopadhyay’s “Misogynistic” comment on Mamata Banerjee

Trinamool Congress lodged a complaint with the Election Commission against Abhijit Gangopadhyay, a former high court judge turned BJP candidate, accusing him of making derogatory remarks towards West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. In a purported video, Gangopadhyay was heard questioning Banerjee's integrity and insinuating that she could be bought. The comments, made during an election rally in Haldia, sparked outrage from the TMC, labeling them as “misogynistic”, BJP on the other hand, questioned the authenticity of the video.

"Trinamool says Rekha Patra was bought for ₹2000. So, Mamata Banerjee, what is your price, ₹10 lakh?," former Calcutta High Court judge and BJP Candidate Abhijit Gangopadhyay had allegedly said during a poll rally in Haldia, a video of which went viral on social media.

The TMC swiftly condemned Gangopadhyay's comments, stating that they were an affront to the dignity of a woman in power. "It is shameful that a former judge who is now a BJP candidate uses such words to malign a woman chief minister. This is the guarantee of the BJP that women under BJP rule will be insulted in this way," said TMC leader Santanu Sen. 

The party filed a formal complaint with the Election Commission, seeking action against 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 Eelction Commission by TMC. 

In response to the allegations, the BJP dismissed the video as fake, accusing the TMC of resorting to underhanded tactics to tarnish their image. "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 spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya.