EC has to take responsibility for attack on Mamata, they failed to provide her security: TMC to EC

CM Banerjee alleged that during her campaign in Nandigram, she was attacked by four-five men who pushed her

Raising its pitch over the alleged attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Thursday said that the Election Commission (EC) cannot dodge its responsibility as it failed to provide adequate security for her.

A TMC delegation which met the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) in Bengal described the incident as a “pre planned conspiracy” and an “attempt to end the life of the Chief Minister.” It further alleged that the EC was acting “ according to BJP’s instructions” and took no action despite having reports of possible attacks on the Chief Minister.

Read | Not to indulge in politics over CM's injuries, want probe: Bengal BJP

Lashing out at the EC, TMC Secretary-General Partha Chatterjee said that the Chief Minister was attacked the very next day that the EC removed the Director General of Police of the state.

“The law and order situation in Bengal was peaceful. But after the elections were announced, it became the EC’s responsibility of looking after the law and order in Bengal. The Chief Minister was attacked the very next day the EC removed the DGP,” said Chatterjee.

He further alleged that several BJP leaders hinted in their comments that the TMC supremo will be attacked, Chatterjee said that “even then Mamata Banerjee was given no proper security.”

Get live news coverage of the West Bengal Elections here

“Since the EC is in charge of the State administration who else will take the responsibility for the attack on Mamata Banerjee. The EC has to take responsibility for this,” said Chatterjee.

“One has to look at the chronology here. The EC removed the DGP on March 9 and a BJP MP stated in a social media post ‘you will see what happens after 5 pm. She (Mamata) was left without proper security and then got attacked,” said TMC MP Derek O’Brien.

He also said that it was matter of shame that soon after the attack on Mamata there were “other kinds” of statements.

Read | Dilip Ghosh calls 'attack' on Mamata Banerjee a 'well-scripted drama'

“Those who are behind the heinous attack should be brought to justice,” said O’Brien who was a member of the delegation along with Chatterjee and Chandrima Bhattacharya.

Wishing the Chief Minister a speedy recovery, BJP spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya said that “we don’t want any politics over the Chief Minister’s injuries.”

A six member Parliamentary delegation will meet the Election Commission in Delhi on Friday.