Mamata calls governor, TMC files complaints: Following the violent clash that broke out between oppositions Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at a polling booth in Nandigram, amid claims of vote jamming, Mamata Banerjee called Bengal governor Jagdeep Dhankhar complaining of a law and order breakdown.
The TMC supremo has alleged "BJP goons from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar" are disrupting the voting process and not allowing people to cast their votes in the constituency, which is seeing Banerjee and aide-turned-opposition Suvendhu Adhikari locked in tough battle. Earlier today, the TMC chief had to be rescued by security forces after a clash broke out at a polling booth in Boyal. Full story here.
Her party has also reportedly filed formal complaints with the Election Commission with Banerjee simultaneously attacking the commission for inaction. "We have already lodged 63 complaints with Election Commission... Whatever you (Election Commission) try, BJP will not win. In Nandigram, 90 percent of the votes will go to TMC," she was Whatever you (Election Commission) try, BJP will not win. In Nandigram, 90% of the votes will to TMC: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee
— ANI (@ANI) April 1, 2021 saying.
TMC MP Derek O' Brien had stated a little after noon that the party had lodged complaints for alleged intimidation at ten booths in the second phase polls. "We have registered complaints for 10 specific booths. All attempts by CRPF to influence/intimidate voters not working." Party leader Mahua Moitra also complained of malfunction in over 50 Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). More on that here.
Mamata Calls Governor Amid Alleged Security Issues At Nandigram
While Banerjee denied divulging the details of her call with Dhankhar, she has made her thoughts known about the Nandigram clash to media. The Bengal CM is claiming that Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel deployed at polling booths are doing nothing to resolve the alleged collisions.
"Home Minister himself is instructing CRPF, BSF and other jawans to help only BJP and its goons. I apologise to my Election Commission for their silence. We have given so many letters but they are one-sidedly supporting BJP candidates," she said.
BJP's Nandigram candidate Adhikari has meanwhile stated there are no law and order issues in the constituency and that Banerjee's "drama" stalled voting for two hours. "Voting is going on peacefully here. There is no issue. There is no worker of TMC in this area. She is doing drama," he said.
TMC Keshpur candidate Seuli Saha has alleged her polling agent was attacked by people raising slogans associated to the saffron party. "People raising Jai Shree Ram slogans stopped his vehicle&attacked him with stone. His eyes have been damaged," she was quoted saying. Following clashes in the state, Banerjee has reportedly threatened to move the courts if needed.
TMC Raises Questions On CRPF Personnel, Says No Action Being Taken
As per reports, TMC has also lodged an EC complaint that alleges a capture of eight booths by BJP workers in the Moyna constituency. "BJP workers are attempting to take control of EVM & are rigging the booth. CRPF deployed at the booth is not taking any action," news agency ANI quoting the complaint says.
TMC leaders had earlier raised concerns in front of the EC about deploying central forces in Bengal near polling booths, instead of local forces. CRPF personnel is monitoring the situation within 100 metres of polling booths with state police stationed outside that designated boundary. The EC devised this rule reportedly in view of Bengal being a sensitive state prone to poll violence. More here.
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