Mamata Banerjee Cautions Voters Against Taking Law into Their Own Hands
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee issued a stern warning to voters on Thursday, urging them not to resort to vigilantism. Speaking at public rallies in Malda's Baishnabnagar and Murshidabad's Sagardighi, she accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of orchestrating a game plan to impose President's rule in the state through mass deletions of voters from the electoral rolls.
Supreme Court Probe Backed Amid Malda Incident
Banerjee expressed support for the Supreme Court's order directing a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe into a recent incident in Malda's Kaliachak. There, a mob surrounded a team of judicial officers for over seven hours on Wednesday. She emphasized that Bengal's law-and-order machinery is currently under the sole control of the Election Commission, which she blamed for the situation due to its interference in state affairs.
"Whatever the Supreme Court has said is correct," Banerjee stated at the Sagardighi rally. "This is BJP's game plan. They do not want elections, they want President's rule. Do you want that? Or do you want a peaceful election through which Trinamool Congress comes back to office?" She appealed to the public not to fall for provocations and to keep avenues for justice open.
Genuine Anger Over Voter Deletions, But Violence Condemned
The Chief Minister acknowledged the genuine anger of people whose voting rights have been revoked but stressed that violence is never a solution. "Your anger is genuine. We are taking legal help to sort out your issues," she said, advising those affected to reapply for voter registration as per Supreme Court directives. She noted that tribunals have been established and the SC will intervene if justice is not served, but lamented that the Malda incident was a setback in their fight.
Banerjee alleged that the unrest was premeditated, with people falling prey to the BJP's strategies. She warned against actions that could endanger the voting rights of those still on the rolls, urging protection for remaining voters.
Indirect References to Political Figures and Conspiracies
In her speeches, Banerjee made indirect references to expelled Trinamool MLA Humayun Kabir and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, suggesting their involvement in the Malda incident. "Someone flew in from Hyderabad. They made you block roads and gherao judges. What was the result?" she questioned, accusing them of splitting Muslim votes to benefit the BJP.
At the Baishnabnagar rally, she expanded her accusations to include the Congress party in a broader conspiracy. "It is a conspiracy by Congress and BJP. Why are you attacking the judges?" she asked, drawing parallels to historical betrayals like the Battle of Plassey and alleging that traitors within have accepted money from Delhi to undermine the state.
Criticism of Union Home Minister and Election Commission
Banerjee demanded the resignation of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, labeling him "useless" and blaming him for failures in border protection and national policies like demonetisation. She held the Election Commission responsible for the Malda incident, claiming it has stripped her of power and imposed a "super President's Rule" with the help of the home minister and governor.
She expressed humiliation over not being informed of the Malda unrest until midnight, criticizing the EC-appointed chief secretary and home secretary for their lack of communication. "I learned about the situation from a journalist at midnight. Isn't this humiliating?" she remarked, questioning the efficiency of newly appointed officials unfamiliar with the state's demography and geography.
Banerjee concluded by urging the Election Commission to focus on the election process rather than administrative overreach, highlighting the challenges posed by rapid transfers of experienced state officials to other regions.
