Mamata Banerjee Accuses BJP of Targeting TMC with Pre-Election Arrest List
In a fiery speech at a poll rally in Murarai, Birbhum, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee declared on Monday that she possesses a list detailing Trinamool Congress workers slated for arrest ahead of the upcoming assembly elections. She vowed to challenge every such case in court, asserting that only her party is being unfairly targeted.
Allegations of Political Oppression
Banerjee questioned the motives behind the alleged list, asking, "Are all Trinamool workers thieves and all BJP workers saints?" She warned that the BJP has planned to arrest numerous individuals before the polls, but emphasized her commitment to legal resistance. This statement follows her recent cautions to TMC workers about potential arrests by central agencies.
Coinciding with her claims, Trinamool Congress MP and senior lawyer Kalyan Banerjee filed a Public Interest Litigation in the Calcutta High Court. The PIL alleges that a comprehensive list of TMC "heavyweight" names is circulating in the internal communications of Election Commission-appointed police and general observers, labeling them as "troublemakers" for pre-emptive detention or arrest.
Legal Challenge and Petition Details
The matter was presented before a division bench led by Chief Justice Sujoy Paul, with lawyer Md Danish Farooqui filing the petition. Farooqui cited "credible and independent sources" to claim that the list includes TMC workers, leaders, office-bearers, elected representatives in the assembly and Parliament, as well as municipal councilors and panchayat members.
In the petition, Farooqui argued, "The objective behind this directive appears to be the pre-emptive removal of these individuals, irrespective of whether there are any pending criminal proceedings or established grounds under law for such drastic action."
Rallying Cry Across Bengal
At subsequent rallies in Khardah and Beliaghata, Banerjee reiterated her accusations, alleging that the BJP is fabricating false cases and obstructing TMC candidates from campaigning. She detailed instances of house raids and charge sheets filed against party workers, labeling BJP ministers as "thieves, dacoits, traitors, and bandits" who oppress women.
Banerjee warned, "Don't think that we are not keeping a watch. Those who are doing this, I am collecting everyone's names, addresses, and phone numbers." She further claimed that the BJP has deployed external agencies, including the military, to pressure Bengal's administration, replacing local officers with personnel from states like Haryana, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tripura, and Assam.
Defiance and Call to Action
Asserting that Bengal will seek "revenge" for this oppression, Banerjee challenged, "Have you ever heard of bringing the military for elections? By any means, you want to capture Bengal. Bring your guns, I will see how much power you have. Don't try to scare Bengal."
Concluding her day's speeches near Shakespeare Sarani police station, she summarized the issue, stating, "They are resorting to oppression during election time. Oppression from ED, CBI, income tax... It is necessary to raise our voice against this injustice."
