The dharna began at 12 pm today in front of the Gandhi statue, in the heart of Kolkata.
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee is sitting on a dharna in Kolkata today to protest against the 24-hour ban slammed by the Election Commission. The ban, which ends at 8 pm on Tuesday, was a result of certain statements made by the Chief Minister that had allegedly communal overtones attached to it. Election Commission termed her remarks as âhighly insinuatingâ, and said that the âprovocative remarksâ had a âserious potentialâ to lead to a law and order breakdown in the state.
The text of Banerjee’s speech quoted in the commission’s order read: “I am requesting my minority brothers and sisters with folded hands don’t divide the minority votes after listening to the devil (shaitan) person who had taken money from the BJP. He passes many communal statements and initiates clashes between the Hindu and the Muslims…” “The comrades of CPM and BJP are roaming around with the money given by BJP to divide the minority votes. Please don’t allow them to do so. Keep in mind that if the BJP comes to the government then you will be in severe danger”, read the text of her speech quoted in the EC order.
#WATCH | West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee paints & shows paintings as she sits on dharna at Gandhi Murti in Kolkata, to protest against a 24-hour ban imposed by ECI on her from campaigning from 8 pm of April 12 till 8 pm of April 13 pic.twitter.com/CvKHxTB53d
— ANI (@ANI) April 13, 2021
CM Mamata has also repeatedly targeted the Central forces and accused them of acting at the behest of the Centre. She has even urged people to âgheraoâ the forces if they see any âwrongdoingâ.
Also Read : “NRC not needed in West Bengal”: Mamata Banerjee after meeting Amit Shah
The ban was followed by heavy criticism from the TMC. Several TMC leaders, including Yashwant Sinha, Kakoli Dastidar criticized the EC and blamed them for acting in a partisan manner. Mamata termed the decision as an âunconstitutional and undemocratic decisionâ
The dharna began at 12 pm today in the heart of Kolkata, in front of the Gandhi statue. Busy painting on an empty canvas and showing it to the crowd gathered while being confined to her wheelchair, it was interesting to note that no senior TMC leader was present around her.
“No party leaders are allowed near the site of the protest. She is sitting there alone.” said a TMC official.
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