After furore over his rallying for Trinamool, Home Ministry cancels Bangladeshi actor Ferdous Ahmed's business visa & blacklists him for election campaigning in India

The Ministry of Home Affairs on Tuesday cancelled Bangladeshi actor Ferdous Ahmed’s business visa and issued him a leave India notice, blacklisting him for election campaigning in the country.

The development came following a furore being created over the Bangladeshi star campaigning for Trinamool candidate from Raiganj Lok Sabha seat Kanhaiya Lal Agarwal in North Dinajpur on April 14. Accompanied by Bengali actors Ankush and Payal, Ahmed had also participated in a roadshow from Karandighi to Islampur.

As per sources, the action was taken by the Home Affairs Ministry after receiving a report from the Bureau of Immigration regarding visa violations committed by him. The FRRO in Kolkata has been asked to ensure his compliance.

Earlier on Tuesday, the BJP had moved the Election Commission and filed a complaint against Trinamool for using the actor for their election campaign. 

READ | EC Steps In After Bangladesh Actor Ferdous Ahmed Campaigns For Trinamool, Says It'll Look Into His Visa And Permits

Earlier, Union Minister and BJP leader Babul Supriyo had also spoken to Republic TV in the matter and said:

"We have seen the Bangladeshi actor campaign for TMC. I believe that TMC has definitely sensed defeat from people in West Bengal. That's why they are doing whatever it takes. They are doing everything that is not constitutional and not ethical and undemocratic, led and orchestrated by Mamata Banerjee. Everything that is happening is after the nod of Chief Minister. This is the legal part of it otherwise, it really does not matter. Let them do whatever they want to do. We have this and then, on the other hand, we have our Prime Minister getting engrossed with the world leaders. This does not really matter to a National Party like BJP. But legally this should be investigated".

Reacting to the incident, BJP West Bengal chief Dilip Ghosh had mentioned:

"TMC doesn't have anyone from India to campaign for them".

He said that he is very "surprised" and questioned whether, "tomorrow, Mamata Banerjee will invite Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan to campaign for the TMC."