EC seeks report from district administration over Bharati Ghosh’s controversial remark

The Election Commission has sought a report from the Paschim Midnapore district administration after a video went viral in which former IPS officer and BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) Lok Sabha candidate from West Bengals Ghatal parliamentary constituency Bharati Ghosh was seen threatening the supporters of ruling Trinamool Congress on Saturday. The incident took place when Ghosh was campaigning in her constituency for the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. In a reference to TMC workers at Medinipurs Anandapur village, Ghosh said that she would bring thousands of people from Uttar Pradesh and would thrash them like a dog if they stopped people from exercising their franchise. Soon after the incident, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee asked Ghosh not to cross the limit of decency. In a warning to the former IPS officer, Banerjee said that she would have been arrested if there was no order from the Supreme Court. The TMC chief was referring to an order in which the apex court ruled that Ghosh cant be arrested. #WATCH:BJP candidate from Ghatal, WB ex IPS officer Bharati Ghosh threatens TMC workers,says,You are threatening people to not cast their votes. I will drag you out of your houses and thrash you like dogs. I will call a thousand people from Uttar Pradesh to beat you up. (4\/5) pic.twitter.com\/GvX650F6n9 She had served as the Superintendent of Police (SP) of West Midnapore district for more than six years, commandant of the third battalion of the State Armed Police, Criminal Investigation Department (CID). A winner of service medal, Ghosh had also served in peacekeeping missions abroad. In 2014, the TMC had swept the state by winning 34 seats with over 39 per cent vote share. The Congress won four seats but its vote share was less than 10 per cent. This time, the BJP has gained ground in the state and is the main challenger in the state. Ghatal Lok Sabha seat will go to polls on May 12, 2019. The result will be declared on May 23, 2019.