Bangladeshi actor Ferdous Ahmed left India on Tuesday, 16 April afternoon and returned home after the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) cancelled his business visa and issued him a “leave India” notice, reported The Times of India. The actor had been seen campaigning for Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal, sparking a row over Model Code of Conduct (MCC) violations by the party.
MHA took action after receiving a report from the Bureau of Immigration regarding visa violations committed by Ahmed. He was also blacklisted, reported ANI.
Bangladesh deputy high commission officials told The Times of India that Ahmed’s visa did not allow him to take part in poll campaigns and had reportedly called him on Sunday itself after the row.
BJP Complains About MCC Violation
The MHA had taken cognisance of a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) complaint accusing the TMC of violating the MCC and asked for a report from the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) on Ahmed.
Ahmed had been seen campaigning for Kanhaiya Lal Agarwal in the North Dinajpur district, reported The Indian Express.
Ahmed reportedly participated in the roadshow along with Tollywood actors Ankush Hazra and Payal.
“It is illegal. We want action against Trinamool and have moved to the Election Commission,” said BJP leader Pratap Banerjee, reported The Indian Express.
"This clearly establishes that for Mamata Banerjee [chief minister] everything has to come from across the border. She always says that people from across the border are welcome while opposing National Register of Citizens (NRC)," BJP leader Sishir Bajoria told India Today.
Bajoria was supposed to move the Election Commission, after receiving reports from the party workers.
However, the Election Commission on Monday had said the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) doesn't specifically state anything about a foreign national canvassing for any political party, reported IANS.
Asked if it is a violation or if any party has complained against this campaign, Additional Chief Electoral Officer Sanjay Basu said: "The MCC does not have anything specifically written regarding this. If anyone complains we will see to it."
(With inputs from ANI, IANS, PTI, The Times of India and The Indian Express.)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)