Mamata Banerjee Critiques CAPF, Accuses Them of BJP Allegiance
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Kolkata, March 25 (NationPress) Following the scrutiny of the Election Commission of India (ECI), the central armed police forces (CAPF) have now faced intense criticism from West Bengal's Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee. She has accused the central forces of acting as pawns for the BJP in West Bengal, similar to the claims made against the Commission.
During a series of three rallies in North Bengal on Wednesday, the Chief Minister voiced her concerns regarding the CAPF units already stationed in the state ahead of the upcoming two-phase assembly elections next month.
She stated that every vote cast against the BJP would serve as a form of retaliation against the ECI for its disruptive special intensive revision.
While expressing her respect for the CAPF, she claimed that the forces appeared to be operating as agents for the BJP and even displayed BJP flags.
"Women in West Bengal must take proactive measures to safeguard polling booths from dawn on election days. If you desire peace in West Bengal for the next five years, you must protect the booths for one day and prevent outsiders from meddling in the elections. Step out into the streets with whatever tools you have at home," she urged.
Furthermore, she sharply criticized the ECI for the arbitrary transfer, replacement, and deployment of bureaucrats and police personnel from West Bengal to other states without prior notification.
"As the elected Chief Minister of West Bengal, it is unacceptable that my officers have been moved without my knowledge. Who will take charge of urgent administrative tasks in the state? Who will ensure the provision of food or manage natural disasters like floods or storms? The BJP is mistaken if they believe they can suppress me through such tactics," she declared.
On the special intensive revision (SIR), she expressed her dismay that citizens of West Bengal were now required to provide proof of citizenship after so many years.
She remarked that individuals from tribal and backward classes had received notices indicating logical discrepancies, and she was convinced that the NRC was next on the West Bengal agenda.
"As long as I am in power, I will not permit that to occur. I will not send a single individual to a detention camp," she vowed.