The Election Commission sent a notice to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday, requesting a response to her alleged statement encouraging citizens to target central security forces. She has been given until Saturday at 11 a.m. to reply.
Mamata Banerjee reportedly accused central powers of bullying voters and encouraged women to retaliate against them during speeches on March 28 and April 7, according to the Election Commission.
Who gives them so much control that the central police are harassing women and excluding them from voting? According to the Hindustan Times, Banerjee said in an interview on March 28. “I saw the same thing in 2019 that I did in 2016.”
The West Bengal chief minister reportedly urged people to target security forces at a rally in Coochbehar city on April 7.
She reportedly said, “I know under whose guidance they beat up and how they beat up.” “It is your responsibility to save the people’s family. If either of our mothers or sisters are hit with the stick even once, threaten them with the ladle, spuds, and knife. That’s what I’m doing. It is a woman’s honour. And if either of our mothers or sisters are refused access to the polling booth, both of you will rise up and revolt.”
This is Banerjee’s second notice from the Election Commission. The West Bengal chief minister has been asked to file a response by 11 am on Saturday. The election body served the chief minister with a notice two days ago for urging Muslims to vote against the Bharatiya Janata Party. The EC had then asked the chief minister to clarify her remarks by Friday, failing which it will take action, according to the EC.
On Saturday, the fourth round of voting in the eight-round Assembly elections in West Bengal will take place. On May 2nd, the results will be published.
