Is CM Mamata Banerjee Misleading on BLO Deaths and Suicides in Bengal?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- The BJP accuses CM Mamata Banerjee of misinformation regarding BLO deaths.
- Rinku Tarafdar's suicide has sparked controversy over work pressures.
- Malviya demands accountability from the state government.
- Questions arise about the payment delays for BLOs.
- The political tension in Bengal is escalating.
Kolkata, Nov 22 (NationPress) The BJP has accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of spreading falsehoods regarding the deaths and suicides of booth-level officers (BLOs) in the state.
In response to a social media update from the Chief Minister earlier today, where she criticized the Election Commission of India (ECI) after the tragic suicide of Rinku Tarafdar (51), a BLO from Nadia district who reportedly ended her life due to work pressure associated with SIR, Amit Malviya, the BJP's Information Technology Cell Chief and central observer for West Bengal, accused Banerjee of distorting facts and fabricating narratives regarding BLO fatalities.
Malviya stated, 'You are LYING again - distorting facts, exploiting your corrupt and malleable administration to propagate false stories, and shedding crocodile tears for BLOs. Your statements lack credibility until an independent investigation verifies the truth.'
He asserted that the residents of West Bengal desire that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process be conducted transparently to cleanse the electoral rolls of 'infiltrators, duplicates, absentee, ghost, and deceased voters' - categories that the Trinamool Congress allegedly relies on to maintain its power.
Malviya also directed three incisive questions towards the Chief Minister.
'Before you dare to question the ECI, you owe the people of Bengal some explanations. Why haven’t you disbursed the Rs 18,000 payment for BLOs? That proposal has been stalled in your Finance Department for ages. Why are Data Entry Operators not being assigned to BLOs? Their workload could have been alleviated immediately. Even Bihar appointed 1,000 DEOs for four months for a similar initiative. Where were your tears when you withheld dearness allowances from 8 lakh government employees and pensioners for years?'
He further claimed that the state administration's refusal to release police and post-mortem reports for BLOs who passed away while on duty has deprived their families of rightful compensation.
'And finally, let Bengal know: where were your tears for the numerous victims of Saradha, Rose Valley, and other chit-fund scams, who lost their lives because your party protected the scammers? The public can see through your theatrics. The truth is evident.' Malviya concluded.