Slamming West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over her allegation that BSF personnel are intimidating voters in border areas of the state ahead of the panchayat elections at the behest of the BJP, Union minister Bhupender Yadav on Tuesday said the TMC leader is rattled since the BJP is fighting against corruption and taking the country ahead on the path of progress. He also lashed out at non-BJP parties for “engaging in politics” over the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and said Article 44 of the Constitution has established directive principles for states regarding the UCC. The Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change said the BJP will implement UCC in accordance with the Constitution. “Article 44 states that the State shall endeavour to secure a Uniform Civil Code for all citizens throughout India. The Supreme Court has an order on it and there should not be any inequality or discrimination,” he said. “Justice and equality should reach all the exploited and deprived communities in society,” he said. Yadav's remarks came on a day Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing a meeting of BJP workers in Bhopal, accused the Opposition of “misleading” minorities regarding the uniform code. “We have to keep in mind that our Constitution, too, guarantees equal rights to all people,” he said. Even the Supreme Court was in favour of a UCC, the PM said. Asked about Banerjee's allegation about the BSF, Yadav said, “Those who are neck-deep in corruption and are paralysing the country's governance with corruption… (even as) the BJP is battling to take the country on the path of progress with honesty and transparency.. In such a situation, it is obvious for her to be rattled.” Banerjee has asked the state police administration to keep a close watch on BSF's activities. Bengal is due to go to the panchayat polls on July 8.
