Kolkata, 30 March (H.S.):

The Bharatiya Janata Party has approached the Election Commission of India alleging repeated violations of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during the ongoing electoral process in the state.

In a representation submitted to the Commission, the BJP alleged that a series of public statements made by Banerjee at election rallies in North Bengal and other parts of the state amounted to provocation, voter intimidation and incitement to violence.

The complaint cited remarks made on March 25 at a rally in Mainaguri, where the Chief Minister allegedly said that after the elections, people would be made to display posters outside their homes declaring that they do not support the BJP. It also referred to another speech at Naxalbari, where she allegedly urged women to “come out with whatever you have at home”, which the party claimed could be construed as a call for confrontation.

The BJP further alleged that similar statements were made at a rally in Pandaveswar on March 26, where Banerjee reportedly called upon people to “unite and resist” and raised doubts over the counting process, thereby undermining confidence in the electoral system.

The memorandum also linked such statements to a recent incident of violence in Basanti, claiming that the prevailing atmosphere had emboldened perpetrators, while alleging inaction on the part of the state police.

The party also flagged remarks by Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra, alleging that her comments at a press conference were divisive and aimed at creating differences among communities.

Citing provisions of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, the BJP urged the poll panel to initiate appropriate legal action, including registration of FIRs, and to ensure stricter enforcement of the MCC.

Among other demands, the party sought enhanced deployment of central forces in sensitive areas, closer monitoring of polling and counting processes, and debarring Banerjee from campaigning.

The BJP also requested the Commission to deploy more IAS and IPS officers as observers to ensure impartial functioning of the state administration and police during the elections.

The party said urgent intervention by the Commission was necessary to ensure free, fair and peaceful elections in West Bengal.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey