Former BJP leader files FIR against state president

Ashoke Sarkar, a former BJP leader, filed an FIR against party's state president Dilip Ghosh for filing false declaration regarding his educational qualification before the Election Commission.

Sarkar alleged that in the declaration before the EC, Ghosh had said that he had obtained a diploma in Engineering/ Technology from Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar Polytechnic Sevayatan in Jhargram.

Sarkar had filed an RTI and the polytechnic replied that Ghosh had never studied in the college. He then approached Speaker Biman Bandopadhyay and urged him to take stern action against Ghosh who is an MLA. Ghosh was elected from Kharagpur Sadar seat in 2016 Assembly election. A copy of the FIR was given to the Commissioner of Kolkata Police along with the Special Additional Commissioner of Police and Joint Commissioner of Police. It was also given to the Chief Election Commissioner.

In the FIR, Sarkar alleged: "Dilip Ghosh was bound to furnish his educational qualification to the Election Commissioner as such furnishes as true information educational qualification he knows or reason to believe to be false shall be punished according to section 177 of Indian Penal Code 1860 and 125A of The Representation of the People Act 1950."

In reply to the RTI filed by Sarkar, the college authorities informed as per office record, Dilip Ghosh, son of late Bhulanath Ghosh did not pass the Diploma in Engineering/ Technology from the Institute, Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar Polytechnic by name since 1975 to 1990.

Sarkar said that he demands action against Ghosh by the Speaker and be stripped of his MLA position.

He said he would move the court if no action is taken against Ghosh. He alleged that Ghosh was supporting the party leaders who had joined from CPI(M)and ignoring the old guards.

Ghosh was criticised within the party for his "caustic tongue." When asked to comment on the " language" used by Ghosh to leaders of other parties, party national president in the press conference on Wednesday said: "Dilipbabu will use sweet words from now on."