Mamata slams ECI for 'favouring' Modi govt, accuses BJP of 'misusing' central agencies

Mamata slams ECI for 'favouring' Modi govt, accuses BJP of 'misusing' central agencies

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday (Apr 15) lashed out at the Election Commission accusing it of "favouring" the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

She then said that if there is a single riot in the state, ECI would be responsible, further threatening to go on a hunger strike outside the poll panel's office for 55 days if needed.

While addressing a rally at Alipurduar, the TMC supremo claimed that the ECI ousted the Deputy Inspector General of Police of Murshidabad at the BJP's order.

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"Even today, just based on BJP's instructions, the DIG of Murshidabad was changed. Now, if there are riots in Murshidabad and Malda, the responsibility will lie with the Election Commission. The BJP wanted to change the police officers to trigger riots and violence. If there is even one riot, the ECI will be responsible as they are looking after law and order here," she said.

"If I can fast for farmers for 26 days (during anti-land acquisition protests in Singur), I can go on a hunger strike for 55 days outside your (EC) office as well," she added.

'Will see how many jails you have,' saysBanerjee

She further claimed that the saffron party threatened the opposition bloc with imprisonment.

"I will see how many jails you have. How many cops do you have? How many people will you thrash? I have been assaulted a lot of times. I know how to fight. I am not a coward," she said.

Banerjee's remarks came after TMC claimed that Income Tax officialsraideda helicopter that was used by party leader Abhishek Banerjee.

The TMC chief while addressing a rally in Cooch Behar claimed that BJP was "misusing" central agencies against the party ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

"Income Tax officials conducted a raid and searched Abhishek Banerjee's chopper before the trial run but found nothing. Those I-T officials claimed that we had inputs that there was money and gold in the chopper, but they found nothing. We don't engage in such acts. It is the BJP that is involved in such things. But will the officials of the central agency ever dare to check BJP leaders' choppers," she said.

(With inputs from agencies)