BJP netas accompanied Bengal CEO on Nandigram visit, alleges Mamata

Kolkata/Bethuadahari (Nadia): CM Mamata Banerjee on Monday claimed that the state's chief electoral officer's visit to Nandigram over the weekend, "accompanied by BJP netas", indicated that he was "in cahoots with the saffron party".

The Election Commission was acting like a "puppet of BJP", she alleged.

"Bengal's chief electoral officer (CEO) went to Nandigram. I saw it in the newspaper. The BJP people took him along with them. He was accompanied by BJP workers. Khela hobe? Will there be a democratic retaliation against this BJP?" she asked her audience at a poll rally in Nadia's Bethudahari.




"FIRs are being lodged against protesting BLOs. BDOs of other communities are being suspended. Disciplinary actions are being taken. You (EC) are simply acting as BJP's puppet," she said.

Giving "another example of EC's bias", Banerjee said: "Massive security is provided to each BJP neta. But they can't provide protection to people. They are reducing the security of Trinamool functionaries. They don't understand that people protect our netas."

The CM claimed that state leader of opposition Suvendu Adhikari had managed only 16 people from Bhowanipore to accompany him for his nomination filing for that constituency.

"I will file my nomination on April 8. People were hired for Rs 500 to come with them during their nominations. They should be ashamed. Only 16 people from Bhowanipore were present when Adhikari's nomination was filed. People were brought from East Midnapore. He will lose everything this time," she said.

Banerjee alleged that BJP had an understanding with both Stalin-led DMK and Congress in Tamil Nadu since all her officers were being transferred there.

"We never supported the Mothabari incident. You took help from AIMIM in Bihar. You are doing it here as well. You are not arresting those who are guilty. ADG Supratim Sarkar, who arrested the culprit, has been transferred to Tamil Nadu. Are you not ashamed of transferring almost all officers of Bengal? Who will take care of the development work and law and order? Why is everyone being sent to Tamil Nadu?" the CM asked.

Banerjee claimed the transfers took place to allow outsiders to enter Bengal with illegal cash and voters. "Will outsiders from UP and MP oversee elections here? People are entering Bengal in buses with drugs. Cash is being flown into Bengal in flights of the forces of GoI. We have proof. We will release the videos at the right time. Arms are also being brought to Bengal. Are you planning to attack the people of Bengal?" she said.

Banerjee said central forces would be used in the elections as "BJP's agents". "Don't let CRPF rig the polls. In Bihar, CRPF went inside polling booths and cast fake votes. It is being said that polling agents and booth agents will have to sit outside the booth. Who will remain inside? Central forces? An agency has been hired to stop you from voting. The DG of ITBP and BSF have said that women will undergo body checking. Is it so easy? If women are touched, make sure to first cast your vote and then protest," the CM said.