Criticising West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for her remarks against the Central forces, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Friday that her allegations showed her frustration over imminent defeat in the Assembly elections.
Shah also asked whether the Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo wants to incite anarchy in the state with such remarks and that she should have some common sense.
“TMC’s frustration over its impending defeat in the Assembly elections became evident in her words and actions. I have never seen a Chief Minister or the head of a political party use such words like Mamata Banerjee against the Central forces? Is she trying to incite anarchy and create disturbance or does she wants to win the elections by rigging,” said Shah. He was addressing a press conference in Kolkata.
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Shah also said that the TMC supremo should know that the Central Forces during elections work under the Election Commission and not the Home Ministry. " I want her to have some common sense," said Shah.
Earlier the Chief Minister alleged that the Central forces were being partial towards the BJP at the behest of Shah.
“I am surprised to see how one’s attitude changes with the situation. Earlier she wanted more Central forces to be deployed during elections and now she is speaking against them as her party cannot resort to rig the elections due to heavy security. Now she is asking the people to gherao the Central forces,” said Shah.
As for the Election Commission’s (EC) notice to Mamata and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, Shah said both should respond to it.
Praising the EC for conducting the West Bengal Assembly elections with comparatively fewer incidents of violence than the last Lok Sabha or Panchayat elections in the state, Shah said that he wants to congratulate the poll panel.
“However, there were some scattered incidents of violence in the Assembly elections. It has to be ensured that the elections are free of violence,” said Shah.
Claiming that the people of Bengal are miffed with Mamata for opposing the CAA, Shah said that she passed a resolution in the state Assembly opposing the Act.
“If voted to power we will undo the resolution. Let me assure the refugees that they will get citizenship under the CAA,”
As to whether the ongoing election campaigning could aggravate the pandemic situation Shah said “the EC holds elections after having discussions with all political parties. There is no clear provision as to what can be done after the tenure of an Assembly or Parliament gets over. So elections have to be held. However, everyone should maintain Covid-19 protocols.”