Kolkata, 18 April (H.S.) : Amid the West Bengal Assembly election campaign, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday made sharp remarks about the role of the state police, alleging that they were bowing before central security forces during the poll process.

Addressing an election rally in Baruipur in South 24 Parganas district, Banerjee said the present situation was temporary and warned that matters would be reviewed once the deployment of central forces ended.

Campaigning for Trinamool Congress candidates Biman Banerjee from Baruipur West and Bibhas Sardar from Baruipur East, she said local police personnel were working under pressure in the presence of central forces. She added that the arrangement would continue only for another two to three weeks, after which circumstances would change.

The Chief Minister also accused authorities of large-scale transfers of officials during the election period. She alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party was relying on administrative pressure instead of fighting a fair electoral contest.

Targeting the Centre, Banerjee claimed recent political developments had marked the beginning of the BJP’s decline and that Bengal would witness the next phase of that process. She said the state had always shown direction to the country and that political change would once again begin from Bengal.

On the issues of women’s reservation and delimitation, Banerjee accused the Centre of attempting to gain political advantage in the name of women’s rights.

During the rally, she also highlighted various welfare schemes implemented by her government and appealed to voters to support the Trinamool Congress. Banerjee said her administration had introduced several initiatives for employment, healthcare, pensions, farmers and women.

The West Bengal Assembly elections will be held in two phases on April 23 and April 29, while counting of votes is scheduled for May 4.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh