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This is an archive article published on April 15, 2016
Showdown with EC: Showcaused for remark, Mamata says will repeat it 1,000 times
"They (EC) have showcaused me on the very first day of the Bengali New Year, the people will showcause them on May 19," a visibly irritated Banerjee said.
Mamata Banerjee campaigning at Suri in Birbhum district of West Bengal on Thursday. (PTI Photo)
A building showdown between Mamata Banerjee and the Election Commission hit flash point Thursday as the EC served the West Bengal chief minister a showcause notice for a promise she had made to voters, and the latter shot back that she would repeat it “a thousand times”.
The EC had sent a full team to Bengal following complaints by opposition parties about intimidation of voters by ruling Trinamool Congress members.
Chief Election Commissioner Dr Nasim Zaidi announced the notice in Kolkata: “It was brought to our knowledge that some kind of promise was made for the creation of Asansol district. On that basis there is a detailed showcause notice… She also made some other utterances which violated the model code of conduct. Upon receiving a reply from Ms Banerjee, the future course of action will be decided.”
READ | Election Commission slaps Mamata Banerjee with showcause notice
Mamata’s response came at a rally in Suri, Birbhum: “On the first day of the Bengali new year, the EC has sent me a showcause notice over things I had said. Besh korechi, ja bolechi. Abar bolbo, hazar baar bolbo (I will say it again, I will say it a thousand times),” she said.
The EC had already removed Kolkata police commissioner Rajeev Kumar over allegations of bias. On the sidelines of the rally, Mamata told reporters: “At the behest of the BJP, a fine officer has been removed. He will be back soon.”
The CEC also said “urgent legal action” has been initiated against Trinamool’s Birbhum district president Anubrata Mondal following complaints that he threatened polling agents of other parties. Mondal was with Mamata at the rally.
“They want him arrested,” Mamata told reporters. “If he should be arrested, so should Mohd Salim, Sujan Chakraborty and Adhir Chowdhury. I dare you to touch Anubrata.”
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Adhir, the state Congress president, said, “Mamata is panic-stricken and saying all sorts of things because she can see defeat.” CPM Rajya Sabha MP Ritabrata Banerjee echoed, “She has realised she is heading for defeat, so she is saying such things.”
In Kolkata, the CPM criticised state electoral officials. Left Front chairman Biman Bose demanded the removal of CEO Sunil Gupta if he cannot perform his duties, while CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury said: “There will be danger to democracy if the EC does not function in a free and fair way.”
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