BJP approaches poll body against Mamata Banerjee's 'abusive' comment

BJP has filed a complaint before the Election Commission of India on Friday against West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee for using an abusive word during her speech at a public rally in Coochbehar's Mathabhanga on Thursday. The chief minister, however, had immediately apologised for using the abusive word, and said she was withdrawing the word.

"It was shocking to hear the use of the offensive word ...by Mamata Banerjee, the supremo of Trinamool Congress, who also happens to be the chief minister of the state, especially while referring to the Hon'ble prime minister Narendra Modi," BJP said in its letter to ECI.

Banerjee was speaking about MGNREGA dues 'withheld by the central government'. "We don't need your funds. We have introduced our own scheme. Will not take your (Centre's) money," Banerjee said when she used the abusive word. The BJP leadership said that commission's guidelines were disregarded and such an offensive word was used.


"We draw your attention to the multiple guidelines issued by the commission on maintaining dignity of the campaign. Repeated advisories have been issued to refrain from use of inappropriate, abusive at times, vocabulary against star campaigners of other political party(ies)... Mamata Banerjee resorted to use offensive vocabulary even when referring to the Hon'ble prime minister," BJP said in the letter. Trinamool spokesperson Santanu Sen said, "It was a slip of tongue and the chief minister has apologised for using that word."