Bengal polls: TMC complaints to EC against PM Modi's Bangladesh visit

TMC MP Derek O’Brien alleged that the “political motive” behind Modi’s visit to Orakandi in Bangladesh is evident, as he took BJP MP Santanu Thakur along

The TMC has lodged a complaint with the Election Commission (EC) against Prime Minister Narendra Modi alleging that he violated the model code of conduct by “indirectly campaigning for his party” during his recent visit to Bangladesh.

“However, the All India Trinamool Congress strongly objects to Shri Modi’s program in Bangladesh on March 27. These had nothing to do with either the 50th anniversary of the Independence of Bangladesh or the birth anniversary of ‘Bangabandhu’ (Sheikh Mujibur Rahman). Rather they were solely and exclusively intended to influence the voting pattern in certain constituencies in the ongoing elections to the Legislative Assembly of West Bengal,” stated TMC MP Derek O’Brien in the letter to the EC.

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He alleged that the “political motive” behind Modi’s visit to Orakandi in Bangladesh is evident, as he took BJP MP Santanu Thakur who has no official position in the Government of India.

The temple at Orakandi in Bangladesh is considered to be the holiest pilgrimage of the Matua community, Dalit Hindus who arrived in West Bengal in large numbers from erstwhile East Pakistan or modern-day Bangladesh following Partition. With a population of about 3 crore, they are a formidable vote base.