CM can’t use Sec 144 at her whim: Suvendu

Leader of Opposition in state Assembly Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday slammed Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for reportedly enforcing Section 144 of the CrPC to prevent him from participating in programmes organised by his party – the Bharatiya Janata Party – in the state. Adkhikari made the statement after holding a public meeting at Khejuri in Purba Medinipur district. The Calcutta High Court on Thursday had given him permission to hold the meeting on Saturday.

“Pishimoni (aunt), the meeting was held today. Section 144 of the CrPC is not something that you can use as per your wish. You cannot use the police to stop us from holding our programmes. The police are being used to lodge false cases against us. They are being used not to grant us permission for rallies and meetings. The state cannot run like this,” said Adhikari.

The BJP MLA from Nandigram was scheduled to hold the rally on August 19. However, the district administration had imposed Section 144 of CrPC in the area. Later, Adhikari moved Calcutta High Court challenging the district administration’s move.

The court on Thursday allowed him to hold his programmes on Saturday. “The Trinamool Congress is not a factor. Mamata Banerjee’s police force is the only factor. The British Police was more powerful than Mamata Police. Yet, they failed to stop our freedom fighters. We too will fight the Mamata police,” said Adkhikari.