Kolkata, Apr 9 (UNI) The Election Commission of India (ECI) has served
a second notice to West Bengal Chief minster and Trinamool Congress chairperson directing her
to explain on her comments about the central armed forces deployed in the state for eight phases poll.
The second notice was issued to the ruling party chief after the first
on April 7, asking her to explain the statements made on March 28 and
April 7 on the central forces. Ms Banerjee was asked to reply by April
10.
Time and again the TMC supremo has been complaining that the central
armed forces have been deployed
with the instruction of Union home minister Amit Shah and they have
been influencing the voters to vote for the
BJP candidates.
She even told during her electioneering that some women should gherao
the armed forces and some other should go
to vote in the polling booths.
The ECI in its earlier notice to Ms Banerjee referred her remarks on
March 28 when she said, "Who gave so much power to them that the
Central police are threatening the women without allowing them to cast
their votes? I saw the same thing in 2019. I saw the same thing in
2016."
The TMC chief on Thursday again said the Election Commission may serve
10 notices, but she would not change
her position. Ms Banerjee also asked why no complaint has been
registered against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that he
often makes references to Hindu and Muslim vote banks while addressing
electioneering.
ECI on April 7 had served a notice to Mamata Banerjee for alleged
violating the model code of conducts, after she allegedly urged the
Muslim voters not to divide their vote and cast vote in favor of TMC
at a public meeting in Tarakeshwar, Hooghly.
She also claimed that the have been deployed in West Bengal at the
"Union Home Ministry run by Amit Shah."
The Election Commission in its latest notice to Mamata Banerjee has
said her "false, provocative statements" "berate and vilify" the
central forces and "are causing extreme demoralization among the ranks
and files of the forces".
"I have respect for the central paramilitary forces, but they are
working on instructions from Delhi. They are committing atrocities on
villagers before polling day, some of them are even harassing women.
They are asking people to vote for BJP. We will not allow this to
continue," Ms Banerjee said.
UNI PC-BM AND