The BJP has filed a complaint against West Bengal Chief Minister Firhad Hakim after he allegedly made a sexist remark against party leader Rekha Patrathe face of the Sandeshkhali protests.

In a letter to the Election Commission, the BJP sought immediate censure of Hakim for campaigning in the West Bengal by-elections.

Earlier this week, Hakim fanned a controversy after he allegedly referred to Rekha Patra as “maal”, while talking about her loss of the Basirhat Lok Sabha seat.

Patra was a prominent face in Protests in Sandeshkhali earlier this year, where he led protests against alleged land grabbing and sexual exploitation by local Trinamool Congress leaders. Later, the BJP chose her as its candidate for the Basirhat seat in the Lok Sabha polls.

Addressing a rally in Haroa assembly constituency in Bengal, Hakim had said: “Before the (Lok Sabha) elections, a bearded man came to Bengal. Do you remember his name? His name is Narendra Modi. He came to Bengal and expressed false concern for Sandeshkhali mothers and sisters. BJP also announced a candidate from Sandeshkhali. Where is that candidate? She (Rekha Patra) lost… hero maal (a loser). present cases”.

HAKIM REJECTS ACCUSATIONS OF LACK OF RESPECT FOR WOMEN

Meanwhile, Hakim rejected allegations of disrespect for women, adding that in Bengal women are treated like “goddesses”.

“They (BJP) have nothing to do, so they can go there (ECI). It doesn’t matter, but we can’t disrespect a woman. ‘Heroo maal’ is a term we generally use in Bengal, it was not specifically for no woman…BJP is ‘heroo maal’ who lost to Haji Nurul by 3 lakh votes but went to court that’s why BJP was called ‘heroo maal’…We respect women This is the culture. from Bengal We treat women like goddesses,” Hakim said.

The Basirhat Lok Sabha seat in West Bengal fell vacant following the death of Trinamool MP Haji Sheikh Nurul Islam in September this year.