Mamata Banerjee Issues Stark Warning About Pre-Election Arrest Operations
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has issued a serious warning to Trinamool Congress workers, alerting them about potential arrest operations that she claims will begin on Sunday night. With assembly elections less than two weeks away, Banerjee urged party members to remain vigilant under an administration now under the control of the Election Commission.
CM Accuses BJP of Election Strategy Through Intimidation
Speaking at a political rally in Khandaghosh, East Burdwan, the Chief Minister expressed strong concerns about what she described as systematic harassment tactics. "Many will be detained and arrested before the polls as part of an election strategy," Banerjee declared. "These operations will start Sunday night. Do not be intimidated."
Banerjee emphasized that during the election period, all administrative control rests with the Election Commission, leaving state authorities with limited power. She advised her supporters: "Remember, everything is under EC during this election - nothing is in our hands. Be vigilant for another 15-21 days; then we will see, we will fight, and we will win again."
Delimitation Proposal Sparks Constitutional Concerns
The Chief Minister voiced strong opposition to a delimitation bill that the central government is expected to introduce in Lok Sabha this month. She characterized this move as a deliberate attempt to "break Bengal into three parts." According to Banerjee, this represents the Bharatiya Janata Party's strategy to divide West Bengal through constitutional means.
Banerjee warned that following delimitation, the National Register of Citizens (NRC) would be implemented in Bengal, potentially leading to detention camps similar to those in Assam. "In Assam, out of 19 lakh people sent to detention camps, 13 lakh were Hindus and six lakh Muslims," she noted, vowing that such facilities would never be established in West Bengal.
Administrative Transfers and Electoral Implications
The Chief Minister referenced recent waves of transfers within the state administration, suggesting these changes were politically motivated. "They (BJP) know they will lose the election. That is why they have changed everything here," she asserted during her address.
Banerjee also criticized the SIR (Supplementary Integrated Register) process, describing it as "the biggest scam." She questioned the exclusion of voters from electoral rolls, asking pointedly: "Is everyone an infiltrator?" This remark referred to individuals who participated in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections but found themselves excluded from subsequent voter lists.
Political Context and Upcoming Elections
The timing of these statements is particularly significant with West Bengal assembly elections scheduled to begin in less than two weeks. Banerjee positioned herself as defending Bengal's integrity against what she perceives as external threats to its territorial and demographic composition.
The Chief Minister concluded with a rallying cry to her supporters, emphasizing resilience and determination in the face of what she described as coordinated political pressure. Her remarks reflect escalating tensions between state and central authorities as election preparations intensify across West Bengal.
