New Delhi/IBNS: The Election Commission has issued show cause notices to Congress leader Supriya Shrinate and the Bharatiya Janata Party's Dilip Ghosh over "derogatory" remarks against actor-turned-politician-Kangana Ranaut - the BJP's candidate for Himachal Pradesh's Mandi Lok Sabha - and Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

"... on careful examination, the comment(s) have been found to be 'undignified and in bad taste', and to be prima facie violative of provisions of the Model Code of Conduct..." the poll panel said.

Shrinate and Ghosh have been given time till 5 pm Friday to explain their stands. "In the event of no response... it will be presumed you have nothing to say..." the ECI said.

Surpiya Shrinate's remarks on Kangana:

A massive row erupted following Congress leader Supriya Shrinate's Instagram post on Kangana Ranaut just weeks ahead of the beginning of the Lok Sabha elections.

Shrinate posted a picture of Kangana with a caption which triggered a massive row.

Hitting back at the Congress spokesperson, Kangana, who has secured a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ticket from Himachal Pradesh's Mandi, posted a screenshot of the post on her X handle.

In the X post, Kangana called out Shrinate and highlighted how she portrayed all kinds of women on screen in a career spanning 20 years.

She wrote, "Dear Supriya ji In the last 20 years of my career as an artist I have played all kinds of women. From a naive girl in Queen to a seductive spy in Dhaakad, from a goddess in Manikarnika to a demon in Chandramukhi, from a prostitute in Rajjo to a revolutionary leader in Thalaivii."

In her defence, Shrinate later said the post had been made without her knowledge.

"Many people have access to my Facebook and Instagram accounts. Someone from them made an extremely inappropriate post today. As soon as I came to know, I deleted that post. Everyone who knows me knows I can never make personal and indecent comments towards any woman," she said.

Tthe National Commission of Women has also sent a letter to the Election Commission calling for action against Shrinate.

Dilip Ghosh's remarks against Mamata Banerjee:

Meanwhile, Dilip Ghosh, who has been fielded by the BJP from Bardhaman-Durgapur seat, has questioned Mamata's paternal details in an all-out attack on the Bengal Chief Minister.

The remark which had irked the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) reads, "When she goes to Goa, she claims to be the daughter of the state. When she goes to Tripura, she claims to be the daughter of the state... She should clarify who her father is. It's not good to be anybody's daughter."

In response to Ghosh's remarks, the TMC complained to the Election Commission of India (ECI) and alleged that it was a violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).

Pulling up the leader, BJP national president Jagat Prakash Nadda told Ghosh that the party does not endorse his derogatory remarks and sought an explanation.

Following the criticism from his own party, Ghosh, who has courted several controversies with his remarks in the past, apologised but that did not stop him from targeting the TMC leaders.

"I have criticised the Chief Minister's kind of politics and in the way, I used some words which didn't go down well with several people and also my party. I apologise for that," Ghosh said and added, "But a leader from her (Mamata Banerjee) party and family had attacked the father of my colleague Suvendu Adhikari. Doesn't a male politician have any respect?"