West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, speaking at a rally in Cooch Behar on Wednesday (7 April), accused central forces of asking people to vote for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Banerjee then asked her supporters, particularly women, to “gherao (surround) CRPF personnel if they try to foment trouble”.
For what is arguably the first time in the history of Indian elections, a politician has openly accused the central forces – who ensure that the elections are held in a free and fair manner without any violence – of being biased.
“One group should gherao them (CRPF personnel) and another group should go and vote if CRPF personnel foment trouble,” Banerjee said at a rally in Cooch Behar. “Do not waste your vote. Your vote will be wasted if all of you gherao them and that is exactly what BJP wants,” she said.
She then went on to say that during elections, policemen turn BJP supporters. However, Mamata also said, “I respect CRPF, but have no respect for BJP’s CRPF.”
“I want a peaceful vote. People should be allowed to cast their votes. The CRPF should not stop people from voting. Who has asked central forces to tell people: ‘Vote for BJP’? Who has asked them to do ‘Modi or Didi’? I respect real jawans but not this BJP CRPF who are assaulting women, harassing people,” she said
The BJP claimed Banerjee had tried to create a law-and-order problem by accusing the country’s security forces and lodged a complaint against her with the Election Commission (EC).
#Breaking | BJP moves EC against West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee's comment allegedly asking to 'gherao CRPF jawans'. BJP calls the statement 'anti-national' & asks EC to bar Mamata from campaigning anymore.
Sreyashi Dey with details. | #May2WithTimesNow pic.twitter.com/EchEPbRJe1
— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) April 8, 2021
The Election Commission has sought a report from the district magistrate on the matter.
Mamata had urged her supporters to lodge FIRs against the men in uniform “if they tell you that you cannot vote” and told women, to be brave. “These central forces are going to villages to ensure that women do not vote. So, my mothers and sisters, if you are told not to vote, will you listen? A single vote is more important than guns and bombs,” she said.
Union Minister and BJP leader Smriti Irani hit out at the West Bengal CM for bring aspersion and disrepute on the integrity of the Central Forces.
Union minister Smriti Irani hit out at West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for the latter's comments regarding personnel of the CRPF.
Banerjee reportedly said that she respects 'real soldiers', but not those who 'create nuisance, and harass people at the behest of BJP' pic.twitter.com/pW4sKzkXuo
— Hindustan Times (@htTweets) April 8, 2021
After three phases of elections, Mamata Banerjee is now also trying to rally the Muslim votes. She has asked Muslims to vote for her and not split the vote.
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