EC observers ordering detention of TMC workers during polling hours: Mamata

Banerjee said that her party, TMC, will not take this lying down and move the Supreme Court against such a 'conspiracy and partisan approach' after the elections

Alleging that the special observers of the Election Commission (EC) were instructing the State Police to detain Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders on poll days, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said that she would approach the Supreme Court against this “conspiracy” after the Assembly elections.

“I would have nothing to say if the EC observers were trying to ensure free and fair elections, but they are only working in the interests of the BJP. They are ordering the police to detain TMC workers the night before the poll day and keep them under detention till 4 pm,” said Mamata showing a transcript of a purported WhatsApp chat between the EC observers and SPs and DMs.

“We will approach the Supreme Court against this conspiracy after the Assembly elections,” said Mamata.

Speaking to reporters in Birbhum, the defiant TMC supremo said that she cannot be silenced with show-cause notices and will continue to raise her voice in protest.

“These retired officials will fail to influence the people’s mandate and their biased actions will enable the BJP to win only about seven to eight seats. Personally, I believe the BJP will not be able to win more than 70 seats,” said Mamata.

Lashing out at the EC for holding the West Bengal Assembly elections in eight phases, she said that the movement of a large number of people from one district to another for election-related works was a key reason behind the increase in Covid-19 cases in the state.