West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee voiced concerns about the potential targeted arrests of numerous Trinamool Congress members before the upcoming state Assembly elections. Addressing a campaign rally in Birbhum district, Banerjee stated that a BJP leader, without naming him, had amassed significant wealth through coal smuggling and accused the BJP of being a party of troublemakers.
Although not directly naming anyone, Banerjee’s statements were directed towards the Election Commission of India (ECI), following the Trinamool Congress’s fears of 800 party workers facing arrest based on ECI’s alleged directives. Banerjee also hinted at attempts by the BJP and the central government to disrupt the operations of the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC), the Trinamool Congress’s strategic agency.
Banerjee criticized the BJP for attempting to sideline I-PAC from West Bengal despite numerous central agencies at their disposal, accusing them of shameful behavior. She further alleged that Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel deployed in the state for the elections have been tasked with tampering electronic voting machines (EVMs). Banerjee urged vigilance during the vote counting process to prevent any manipulation, emphasizing the importance of fighting until victory is secured.
