WB Polls: Mamata Banerjee Cancels Poll Meetings Citing EC Order Amid COVID-19 Surge

Mamata Banerjee Cancels Poll Meetings: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee called-off all her pre-scheduled poll meetings citing an Election Commission order issued today.

Henceforward, the Trinamool founder said that she will now "reach out to people" virtually.

Taking to the official Twitter handle of the political party, Banerjee made the announcement in the evening today. "In the wake of upsurge in #COVID19 cases across the country and the ECI Order dated 22nd April 2021, I am cancelling all my prescheduled meetings and we will reach out to the people virtually,” she tweeted.

“We will be sharing the updated schedule of the virtual meetings shortly," the tweet further read.

In the wake of upsurge in #COVID19 cases across the country and the ECI Order dated 22nd April, 2021, I am cancelling all my prescheduled meetings and we will reach out to the people virtually.

We will be sharing the updated schedule of the virtual meetings shortly.

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) April 22, 2021

Mamata Banerjee Cancels Poll Meetings After Election Commission Order

The West Bengal Chief Minister’s announcement came less than an hour after the poll panel prohibited any more public rallies and roadshows ahead of the assembly elections. The Election Commission of India issued an order that the public meetings are not to be attended by more than 500 people.

Meanwhile, West Bengal logged 11,948 new Covid-19 cases today. Up to 56 fatalities were recorded as well.

In wake of the surging COVID-19 cases, concerns were raised that poll rallies might become super-spreader events, therefore, the High Court has sought an action taken report from the poll panel on April 23.

The Trinamool supremo announced on April 19, that free Covid vaccination will be provided to all above the age of 18 years in the state after 5 May. As part of Phase 3 of the vaccination drive, the decision to vaccinate everyone above the age of 18 years was taken. Registration for the coronavirus vaccine for people above 18 years will begin from April 28 on CoWin.

RS Sharma, the National Health Authority CEO said that people between the ages of 18 and 45 will not be able to avail of the free COVID-19 vaccinations at Central government-run hospitals.