Mamata Banerjee injury: Election Commission slams Trinamool Congress' allegations
What's the story
The Election Commission has responded sharply to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress' allegations against it over the alleged attack on her in Nandigram on Wednesday. The party alleged the election body had taken over the law-and-order machinery in the state, where polls are due to start later this month. Banerjee, 66, is currently in the hospital with bone injuries. Here's more.
Allegations
Deep-rooted conspiracy to take life of CM, alleged Trinamool
In its memorandum, the Trinamool alleged a "deep-rooted conspiracy to take the life" of the party chief linking it to the recent removal of top police officials in the state by the Election Commission. Terming it a "gruesome attack," the party said that the attack was done "within 24 hours of the removal of the Bengal police chief," without the state government being consulted.
Information
EC had replaced Bengal DGP earlier this week
To note, the Election Commission had on Tuesday ordered the removal of Virendra as the Director-General of Police of West Bengal and appointed P Nirajnayan in his place citing reports of poll violence.
Response
Completely incorrect, says the Election Commission
The EC, responding to the allegations that the police chief was removed on the orders of the ruling BJP at the Centre, said, "It looks undignified to even respond to the allegations of all this being done at the behest of a particular political party." The poll body said it was "completely incorrect" to allege it had taken over the law-and-order machinery in Bengal.
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'Full of insinuations'
The allegations amounted to undermining the foundation and fabric of the Constitution of India, the EC said, adding that the Trinamool's memorandum was "full of insinuations" that questioned the "very basis of creation and functioning of the Election Commission."
Incident
How did Banerjee get injured?
Meanwhile, Banerjee is in the hospital with injuries to her chest, shoulder, and left leg, in what the Trinamool has alleged was an attack on her soon after she filed her nomination for the upcoming Bengal elections. She was at a crowded market, standing on the foot-board of her car when the door of the car was allegedly pushed against her.
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Maintain peace and calm, Banerjee urges from hospital
"I appeal to my party cadres, supporters, activists, and common people to maintain peace and calm. It is true that I was badly hurt last night...I hope to be back on the field in the next few days," Banerjee said in a video message.
BJP
Separately, BJP says Banerjee faked the attack
The rival BJP, on the other hand, has accused the Chief Minister of faking the attack to gain the sympathy of the voters. "Not one eye witness seems to corroborate Mamata Banerjee's 'attack' version. People of Nandigram are upset and angry at her for blaming them and bringing disrepute (sic)," tweeted the Bengal unit of the saffron party.
Do you know?
Polls in Bengal to begin on March 27
The state Assembly elections in West Bengal will be held in eight phases from March 27 to April 29, and the results will be declared on May 2.