Election Commission show-causes Dilip Ghosh

Kolkata: The Election Commission (EC) has served a show-cause notice to BJP state president Dilip Ghosh for his controversial remarks regarding the Commission itself.

The office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) in the state has sought a clarification as to why he made such an obnoxious comment regarding the EC. The remarks came from Ghosh two days ago after the election personnel removed a banner that was allegedly carrying his photograph and Ram Navami greetings.

While talking to a private television channel, Ghosh said he would have taken off the trousers of the election personnel who had dared to remove the banner, had he been present there at the spot.

The CEO office has taken a strong objection to Ghosh's remarks.

According to a senior official at the CEO office, Ghosh's statements were derogatory in nature and hence, he has been asked to clarify why he made such a statement. Ghosh had allegedly used Ram Navami greetings and posters during his election rally flouting the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) set up by the Election Commission of India.

The state has once again witnessed processions where weapons were brandished during the Ram Navami celebrations this year.

After his controversial remarks, Ghosh had, however, claimed that he did not flout any MCC violation by putting a banner greeting people on the occasion of Ram Navami.

He went ahead and added that he is entitled to put out a banner as he has been a local MLA. The Commission, however, seems unmoved and has show-caused him.

The CEO office wanted to know from Ghosh if he has conducted an election rally using various posters of Ram Navami or if any weapons were used during the rally.

Earlier, Ghosh was seen displaying swords and maces during Ram Navami celebrations in Kharagpur.

The Kolkata Police along with its state counterpart said no political, apolitical and religious organisations have been allowed to carry out rallies with arms.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, while addressing a rally in Siliguri, criticised the BJP for taking out armed rallies and said they were trying to "sell religion" for political advantage.

"Whose throat do you want to slit with swords? Whose head do you want to smash with the mace," she had questioned while addressing a rally in favour of party's Darjeeling Lok Sabha seat candidate Amar Singh Rai.