By Joymala Bagchi
Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], April 12 (ANI): The Election Commission on Monday banned West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee from campaigning for 24 hours in the ongoing assembly elections over her appeal for votes along communal lines.
The commission further condemned such statements as “portent with serious law and order problem” across the state.
The notice came along with a stern warning and advised Mamata to desist from using such statements while addressing the public during the elections.
The EC had earlier sent Mamata notices twice dated April 7 and April 8, citing violation of the Model Code of Conduct.
In a public speech on April 9, the Trinamool Congress chief had urged voters not to divide minority votes.
“I am requesting my minority brothers and sisters with folded hands, don’t divide the minority votes after listening to the devil (shaitaan) person who had taken money from the BJP. He passes many communal statements and initiates clashes between the Hindus and the Muslims…Keep in mind that if the BJP comes into the government then you will be in severe danger,” she said.
On April 7, she also urged people to restrain (gherao) the central forces in case they create any disturbances.
“And if CAPF create disturbances, I tell you ladies, a group of you go and restrain (gherao) them while another group will go to cast their votes,” she had said.
The Commission stated that Mamata in her reply had “conveniently left out key parts of her speech, perhaps due to selective amnesia”.
The notice by the EC states that “Ms Banerjee while submitting her reply has again levelled allegation against CAPF and cited certain issues raised during phase wise election and had enclosed a list with the reply”.
The notice noted that “it is self-evident from the perusal of all the reports that the allegations mentioned in your hand-written note are factually incorrect, without any empirical evidence whatsoever and devoid of substance.
“In fact, it is a matter of deep regret that a media narrative was weaved hour after hour to misguide the biggest stakeholder which is the voters by a candidate who also happens to be the Hon’ble CM of the state. At least this should have been appreciated that the sideshow was fraught with immense potential to have adverse impact on law and order across West Bengal and maybe some other states. And all this was being done when the election process was/is on. There could not have been a greater misdemenour,” it said.
The commission observed that the view of the CM is “highly insinuating and provocative remarks laden with serious potential of breakdown of law and order and thereby adversely affecting the election process”.
The MCC is in force in the state.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday said that Election Commission‘s decision to ban her from campaigning in the assembly polls for 24 hours was “undemocratic and unconstitutional” and said she will sit on dharna on Tuesday in Kolkata from 12 noon to protest against it.
“To protest against the undemocratic and unconstitutional decision of the Election Commission of India, I will sit on dharna tomorrow at Gandhi Murti, Kolkata from 12 noon,” Banerjee said in a tweet.
Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Derek O’Brien on Monday slammed the Election Commission’s (EC) move to ban West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, calling it a ‘black day for democracy’.
Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Derek O’Brien tweeted, “Today is a black day in Indian democracy. They can not beat us, that is why they ban us.” He further remarked that the EC stands for Extremely Compromised.
Leaders from different political parties also reacted strongly to EC’s move to ban Mamata Banerjee from campaigning for 24 hours in the ongoing assembly elections over her appeal for votes along communal lines.
Abhijit Banerjee, son of former President Pranab Mukherjee and Congress leader, said, “Banning Mamata Banerjee from campaigning for the next 24 hours while ignoring hate speeches of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders is nothing but a naked display of favouritism by the Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora.”
Banerjee further questioned if there was any deal between Arora and BJP.
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Nawab Malik also slammed EC over the decision.
“This is not right. It is appropriate to ban a leader like Mamata Banerjee that too from campaigning fot her own party. The decision appeared to be a politically motivated election. I appeal the EC to withdraw the ban as soon as possible,” Malik told ANI.
Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Zafar Islam said that the Commission took the right step and said it would send a strong message. He also said that people are fed up with Mamata Banerjee‘s government and want change.
The Election Commission on Monday banned Mamata Banerjee from campaigning in the ongoing state elections for 24 hours from 8 pm today and said she had made “highly insinuating and provocative remarks laden with the serious potential of the breakdown of law and order and thereby affecting the election process”.
The ban comes into force ahead of the fifth phase of assembly polls in the state on April 17.
