EC lodges FIR against Rezzak Mollah

The Election Commission on Thursday filed an FIR against Trinamool Congress candidate from Bhangar, Abdur Rezzak Mollah for making snide remarks against BJP candidate from Howrah North Assembly constituency Roopa Ganguly.

Chief Electoral Officer Sunil Gupta said that earlier the Commission had issued a show-cause notice to him. But the FIR was lodged as the Commission is not happy with the reply he gave.

Mollah had made a personal attack on Roopa Ganguly on Wednesday. He also did not spare Trinamool Congress’ Moon moon Sen and Deb. The EC took a strong exception to it.

Making a U turn on Thursday Mollah tendered unconditional apology and said he should not have attacked Ganguly personally.

Rezzak Mollah who was the land and land reforms minister in the erstwhile Left Front government was expelled from the party due to his harsh comments and making personal attacks. After the 2011 poll debacle he held Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and the then industry minister Nirupam Sen and made open statements against them. The party had cautioned him but he flouted the norms and went ahead with his criticism. Finally he as expelled from the party. After expulsion, in several television talk shows he criticised CPI(M) leaders and held them responsible for failing to give leadership.

He recently joined Trinamool Congress and was nominated to contest from Bhangar where his biggest rival Arabul Islam is considered to be the undisputed leader. Mollah initially faced stiff Opposition when he went to the area for campaigning. Because of his long experience and political tact he could manage all the factions and now all are working for him. But his habit of making personal attack has not left him. He also did not spare his party MPs and commented against them.