24-hrs campaign ban on WB CM Mamata Bannerjee by election commission…get the details…
Wednesday, 14th April 2021
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee obtained support from several corners, that comprised of leaders from parties other than the BJP, a day after the Election Commission imposed a 24-hour campaign ban on her.
Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut said on Tuesday, in support of the TMC leader, whom he referred to as Bengal tigress’, that the EC was working at the behest of the BJP.
Raut alleged that the poll watchdog’s decision to curtail Mamata Banerjee from campaigning for a full 24 hours was a directive from the BJP. He took to the social media and wrote this was a “direct attack on democracy” and sovereignty of independent institutions of the country.
Raut was supported by other leaders from the country such as DMK leader MK Stalin, who tweeted, “The faith in our democracy rests on free and fair elections. The Election Commission of India must ensure a level playing field for all parties and candidates and ensure that impartiality and neutrality is maintained.”
Kolkata, in the meantime, saw the TMC supremo come out in a dharna on Tuesday. This was her way of expressing disapproval of the Election Commission’s decision to prohibit her from campaigning for 24 hours.
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Trinamool Congress had urged the Election Commission on Monday to adopt firm measures against some BJP leaders who allegedly made incendiary remarks over the Cooch Behar firing incident that claimed the lives of “four unarmed civilians”.
TMC wrote, in their letter addressed to Ariz Aftab, the West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer, several BJP leaders, including party state Dilip Ghosh, were “instigating” violence by talking about unleashing similar episodes like the one in Cooch Behar.
Leaders of the TMC party launched their campaign against the EC order of campaign ban, calling it a “Black Day for Democracy”.
Yashwant Sinha wrote, “We always had a doubt about the impartiality of the EC. But today it has shed whatever pretence it had. Now it is clear that EC is acting at the behest of Modi/Shah and under their direct order. Every institution of democracy is compromised today. What hope do we have?”
Manoj Tiwary said, “Does the ‘selective’ model code of conduct only apply to Mamata Banerjee? Where was it when Dilip Ghosh and Sayantan Basu were spewing venom? Where was it when Suvendu Adhikari was insulting Didi by calling her Begum? Can EC explain? BJP is clearly rattled!”
West Bengal Assembly polls are currently underway and are being held in 8 phases. CM Mamata Banerjee has received support from the Shiv Sena, which is not contesting the elections.
The News Talkie Bureau
Source:
NDTV