Central forces being used like BJP cadre, says Mamata Banerjee
Times of India | 20 April 2024
KOLKATA/JANGIPUR: Taking on EC on Friday, Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee claimed that central forces were acting like "party cadre" who were controlling poll lines and threatening voters. At a rally in Murshidabad's Jangipur, Banerjee said: "I love the central forces. I am not against them. But this is the first time I am seeing central forces being used as their (BJP) party cadres."
"I will now speak in English so that it reaches the ears of the 'BJP Commission'.With my humble regards, may I bring to the kind knowledge of the BJP Commission and ask them why in Cooch Behar elections, only the central forces are working... four armed CAF men are posted and the state police is represented only by a homeguard. Why?" she said.
"How do you expect impartial elections?" the CM added.
Banerjee alleged junior Union home minister Nisith Pramanik was using central forces for his own purposes. Without mentioning his name, she said: "The one getting married has become the priest."
"Today, polls are being held at the chotto (junior) home minister's place. And from controlling the line, patrolling the booth area and threatening voters, the CAF is doing his job... May I ask the BJP Commission, is it not a fact that deployment of police lies with state?" Banerjee said: "The minister is using the CAF. Is it not unethical? I have come to know that they (BJP) made locals sign papers stating they want CAF posted since there were disturbances in the past."
"BJP is misusing central forces to loot votes. If BJP returns to office for a third consecutive time, the Constitution will cease to exist, democracy will be finished. This election is nothing less than a second war of Independence," the CM said, adding she had evidence to back her claims.
At a rally at Hariharpara, the TMC chief alleged that BJP was resorting to rioting to win. "BJP only believes in bloodshed and violence to serve its political purpose... Why did BJP leaders hold processions with weapons and flout court orders?" she said. "Why did they burn and attack religious places? Why are they sending NIA into the houses of the minorities?" the CM added.
Banerjee had on Thursday accused INDIA bloc partners CPM and Congress of "joining hands with BJP" in Bengal. "There is no INDIA alliance in Bengal. I played a key role in the formation of the opposition bloc... But here in Bengal, CPM and Congress are working for BJP," she said.