Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday alleged that central forces tried to check her car on the way to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport earlier in the day.
The allegation from the Chief Minister came a day after the Election Commission allegedly ordered checks on vehicles of Trinamool Congress leaders and their family members.
Addressing an election rally in Islampur in North Dinajpur district, Banerjee said, “Today, the central forces also came to check my car at Dum Dum airport. I said, check, check. I want them to check. If all the Trinamool leaders’ cars are being searched, will the Prime Minister’s, Home Minister’s and CRPF vehicles not be searched? Why will the BJP’s cars not be searched? Why will it be only the Trinamool’s cars? Why is the election being held in this way?”
Intensifying her attack against the Election Commission of India (ECI), the Chief Minister further said: “If you have the courage, search my car every day, excluding everyone else. Even today, they came in a hurry, I let it go. But they ran away in fear. They came to search my car, I was happy. I am not a thief or a robber… I do not take a single paisa as salary from the government.”
On Tuesday, the Trinamool Congress accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of issuing specific instructions to all Flying Surveillance Teams (FSTs) deployed for the forthcoming two-phase West Bengal Assembly elections to check the vehicles of all Trinamool Congress leaders and their close relatives, with the sole exception of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The vehicle checks also include Trinamool Congress General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee and his wife Rujira Narula Banerjee.
“Central ministers are bringing money. I know what comes in the central forces’ vehicles,” claimed CM Banerjee.
Meanwhile, she alleged that Central ministers have been distributing cards making financial promises, which amounts to a violation of election norms.
“The Union Finance Minister is distributing cards during the elections. I appeal to the Election Commission to take strict action against her,” she said. Mamata Banerjee appealed to the Commission to take action against all those who are distributing such cards during the elections and misleading people.
In her words: “Why are the cards being distributed now? It could not have been done before the elections. Are you making new accounts now? Are you coming with a treasure trove of money? You know that after the elections, they will bring bulldozers and drive you out of the country.”
(IANS)
