Row over TMCP camps at HS venues

MALDA: Trinamool Chhatra Parishad (TMCP) triggered a controversy by setting up 'assistance camps' at higher secondary exam centres in Habibpur block on Wednesday, complete with huge pictures of Mamata Banerjee and leaflets recording the projects of her government.
TMCP leaders made a big show of cutting a green tape to 'inaugurate' the camps and made examinees stand in a group outside the gates so that they could hand out glasses of water for a photo op.The opposition slammed Trinamool for playing politics with students and the administration found them objectionable to ask the school authorities to dismantle the camps.
Examinees had to pass by these camps, decorated with banners of Mamata, even as TMCP workers kept handing out leaflets to them and anxious parents. Such camps were seen right next to the gates of Bulbulchandi GS High School, Aiho High School, Rishipur High School and Kendpukur High School. TMCP cadres claimed they were there to assist examinees. Local TMCP leader Sourav Sarkar said, "We have kept two motorcycles here in case any candidate forgets to bring their admit card or registration certificate. We are also providing water and medical aid."
While this may not be objectionable, TMCP cadres handed out candidates leaflets with phone numbers of local TMCP leaders in case of an 'emergency'. But these leaflets also carried a detailed list of what projects the CM has undertaken for the youths. Not something examinees would want to know minutes before their exam. If a candidate refused to accept the leaflet, it was handed to their guardians, who are just as anxious as the kids, if not more, on the first day of the exam.
Congress was furious. Mousam Noor, Congress candidate of North Malda, slammed TMCP, saying: "Who has given them permission to hold such camps at exam venues? It is a ploy to influence examinees and their guardians with photographs and projects of the CM when the electoral code of conduct is on." She complained to the block development officer (BDO).
Chhatra Parishad (Congress) leader Babul Sk went a step further, saying: "We have information that behind the garb of 'assistance' to candidates, copies were provided from these camps to examinees to cheat in the exam hall." Sarkar denied the allegation.
District TMCP leader Prosenjit Das did not find anything wrong with it and said: "Helping students is not a violation of the electoral code of conduct
. Mousam Noor is complaining because she is afraid of losing this election." BDO Arnab Roy, however, was convinced with the complaint and has asked the school authorities to remove the camps.