‘I respect Forces, but…’: Mamata Banerjee’s fresh volley at Amit Shah

Ahead of the fourth phase of West Bengal assembly elections, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee asked voters to be on guard as she said that a section of central paramilitary forces on the instructions of the “Union Home Ministry run by Amit Shah” may visit villages to intimidate people, reports PTI. 

The TMC supremo was addressing a public in West Bengal’s Hooghly district, where she said, “I have respect for the central paramilitary forces but they are working on instructions from Delhi. They are committing atrocities on villagers before polling day, some of them are even harassing women.”

“They are asking people to vote for BJP. We will not allow this to continue,” Mamata said. 

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Calling upon the West Bengal police force, Mamata asked them to “keep vigil and not to bow their heads before Delhi [CRPF].” She said, “Your job is to ensure free and fair polls, please be stern with trouble makers and keep your integrity intact.”

Mamata Banerjee further asked villagers to lodge FIRs if they come across any such incident and inform them [the party] if the police refuse to accept the FIRs. 

The TMC leader blamed the BJP for “spreading lies about promulgation of section 144 in an entire constituency,” and added that the central ruling did this to “create panic.” 

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“In reality, section 144 is in force within 200 metres of a booth. But they are doing this to prevent our voters from going to polling stations.” 

She also asked polling agents to be vocal and to protest any “misdeed by BJP and security forces”.