The Election Commission issued a show cause notice to West Bengal Bharatiya Janata Party president Sukanta Majumdar on the Trinamool Congress’s allegations of insulting the national emblem last week and directed him to reply by 8 p.m. on Monday.
“In view of the allegations made in the complaint, you are directed to submit your reply to the Commission by 20.00 hrs on 11.11.2024. In event of no response from your side within the stipulated time, it will be presumed that you have nothing to say in the matter and the Election Commission will make appropriate action or decision in the matter without making any further reference to you,” a letter by Rakesh Kumar, secretary of EC, addressed by Mr. Majumdar said.
The complaint made by Trinamool Congress against the State BJP president alleges insult of the national emblem. At a public meeting in Bankura on November 7, the BJP president while targeting the State police said that if the police has to serve as ‘agents’ of the ruling party they should remove the national emblem and put slippers on their uniform instead of it. Mr. Majumdar was implying that the police by putting slippers on their uniform will be able to should show allegiance to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who generally wears slippers in public.
Responding to the show cause issued to him, Mr. Majumdar said that he feels that the Election Commission is acting “super fast”.
However, the controversy did not end with the EC issuing show cause to the BJP president. The Trinamool Congress leadership alleged delayed action against Mr. Majumdar and added that the Commission granted appointment to a five-member delegation of the party at 3.30 pm on Monday, 90 minutes before the campaign for byelections to the six Assembly seats in the State ended on Monday. Bypolls to six seats in West Bengal are scheduled on November 13.
A Trinamool delegation had visited the EC headquarters in New Delhi on November 9 and submitted two letters to the Commission, which included an allegation against Mr. Majumdar. However, the panel was unable to meet any EC members on the day.
The EC, however, refuted the allegations made by Trinamool of delayed action against the BJP leader.
“As such, this Commission rejects your allegations regarding inaction and delayed response as completely baseless, devoid of facts and misleading. However, without further elaborating, you are most welcome to attend the meeting at 3.30 PM today, as already conveyed on November 10,” the Commission responded in reply to allegations of the Trinamool Congress.
Meanwhile, the Trinamool also lodged a complaint with the EC against Leader of Opposition in the State Suvendu Adhikari for making communal remarks during the election campaign at a public meeting in Bankura.
Published - November 11, 2024 04:52 pm IST
