TMC leader Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday told a press conference that the Returning Officer (RO) of Nandigram had informed her that if he allowed recounting in Nandigram constituency, he would be killed.
On Sunday, initially, Mamata was declared as the winner in Nandigram; later, after a recount, BJP candidate Suvendu Adhikari was declared as one. Immediately, the TMC delegation had rushed to Nandigram and asked the RO to order a recount but was denied permission; later, the TMC team had petitioned the Chief Election Officer Ariz Aftab but to no avail.
Addressing a press conference on Monday, the TMC supremo alleged that the RO had informed her that he was held up at gun-point; he also disclosed that while the counting was on there was load-shedding inside the counting station.
“I still don’t understand why the Election Commission didn’t grant permission for a recount. The EVM machines were also damaged. I will move the court on this issue and until permission is given for a recount, the EVM and VVPAT machines should not be touched; or else I would seek a forensic probe into the matter,” said the TMC supremo.
Stating that her priority is to fight the pandemic situation in West Bengal, sshe urged everyone to keep calm. Mamata Banerjee is expected to take oath as Chief Minister on May 5.