Notice to Abdur Rezzak Mollah for Rupa Ganguly remark

The Election Commission has issued a showcause notice to Trinamul Congress candidate Abdur Rezzak Mollah for making derogatory sentences against actress-turned-politician and BJP candidate Rupa Ganguly. The action was taken after a BJP delegation lodged complaint against the TMC candidate from Bhangar Assembly constituency for making offensive and derogatory comments on the personal lifestyle of Rupa Ganguly, who is contesting the election from Howrah North constituency.

“The returning officer has issued a showcause notice to TMC candidate Abdur Rezzak Mollah following a complaint that he made some derogatory remarks against BJP candidate Rupa Ganguly. The EC is also investigating the matter,” said additional chief electoral officer in West Bengal Dibyendu Sarkar. It was the second time Mr Mollah was issued a show cause notice during the ongoing Assembly elections.

“He has insulted not only Ms Ganguly but also every woman in the state by saying those words in a television news channel. He has stooped to a new low by saying such things and we have demanded that strong action should be taken against him,” state BJP vice-president Jai Prakash Majumdar said after lodging a complaint at EC.

Ms Ganguly, who was clearly hurt after Mr Mollah’s comments were aired by television news channels, said, “It is below my dignity to comment on it. It is a matter of shame that such statements are being made against women in a state which is run by a woman chief minister. It has become a routing for ruling party members to make offensive and abusive statements against women. The women in the state will give a befitting reply to this.”

The intellectuals, too, strongly condemned Mr Mollah’s statements and claimed it was an insult to the women in the state. Former Union minister and Congress candidate from Bhowanipore, Deepa Das Munshi said, “No one should use unparliamentarily words against any candidate. It is undesired and unwarranted.”