LoP Suvendu slams Mamata for her veiled threat to state govt employees engaged in poll-related training
In an administrative meeting at Bolpur in Birbhum district, Ms Banerjee said, 'I will request the BLOs to see that no one's name is left out of the voter list. Remember that the Election Commission takes charge after the issuance of poll notification. Before and after that, the state government has administrative responsibility. You are employees of the state government. Do not harass anyone unnecessarily.'
The CM also said she was surprised to know that some 1,000 BLOs from here have gone to Delhi for training.
She said nobody informed this and even the chief secretary was not aware of it.
"This is a clear case of unauthorized intervention and manipulation of the election process. Mamata Banerjee's accusation that the ECI started BLO training without informing the state government, coupled with her directive to ensure "no voter's name should be deleted," was a veiled attempt to intimidate officials and influence voter list revisions for political gain," Adhikari alleged.
Her remarks not only disrespect the autonomy of the ECI but also cast a shadow over the integrity of our elections, the BJP leader said.
"These statements by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee are nothing short of a blatant attempt to interfere in the democratic process and undermine the sanctity of free and fair elections. By openly reminding Booth Level Officers (BLOs) that they are "State Government Employees" and warning them against following the Election Commission of India (ECI)'s directives, she is indirectly threatening those responsible for ensuring a transparent electoral process," Adhikari chargd on his X handle hours after Ms Banerjee's alleged veiled threat to the government employees.
Adhikari questioned that how can the common people expect a fair and unbiased election when the Chief Minister herself was pressuring state government employees involved in the electoral process?
"This is an attack on the Constitution and India's federal structure," the BJP leader pointed out.
Adhikari urged the ECI to take immediate cognizance of this matter and investigate Ms Banerjee's statements for their potential to disrupt the democratic process.
"The ECI must ensure that BLOs can perform their duties without fear or coercion, safeguarding the right of every citizen to be a part of a free and fair election," he added.
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