Case against BJP leader over 'who's your father' remark against Mamata Banerjee

Digital Desk: A First Information Report (FIR) was registered against BJP MP Dilip Ghosh in West Bengal's Durgapur, for his remarks against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. 

This comes only hours after Ghosh apologised for his statements made on Wednesday and after the Election Commission served him with a show-cause notice, requesting a response by March 29. 

A video that went viral on social media showed Ghosh mocking the Trinamool Congress supremo's family history. 

"When Didi goes to Goa, she becomes Goa's daughter, in Tripura, she says I am Tripura's daughter, decide who is your father, this is not right," reads Ghosh's statement in English as given by the Election Commission in its notice.

Dilip Ghosh made reference to the Trinamool Congress's election slogan, "Bangla Nijer Meyekei Chaye," which stands for "Bengal wants its own daughter," in the Bengal Assembly polls. 

The Trinamool Congress later filed a complaint with the Election Commission on the BJP leader's comments, and the poll authority deemed the comment to be derogatory and offensive, as well as prima facie in violation of the commission's earlier guideline and the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). 

The Lok Sabha MP was reminded by the poll authority of the MCC's rule stating that criticism of rival political parties should only be directed towards their policies, programs, track records, and previous work. 

 Subsequently, the BJP also asked Ghosh for clarification.

GHOSH EXPRESSES REGRET OVER HIS REMARKS 

Shortly after his remarks became the subject of controversy, Ghosh apologized, admitting that his party and the people were dissatisfied with his word choice. 

The well-known provocateur Ghosh remarked, "If that is the case, I apologize for that." 

Ghosh—a former state BJP president—explained that he has no personal grudges against the chief minister. 

"This is not the first time that a controversy has erupted over my comments since I say it on the face of anyone who does any wrong," he continued. 

Claiming that Banerjee's political jargon was meant to "confuse" the audience, he justified his remarks.