EC says TMC’s memorandum over Mamata injuries ‘full of insinuations and averments’

Tribune News Service
New Delhi, March 11

In a sharp reaction to the TMC’s allegation through a memorandum that the Election Commission has appropriated the entire governance structure in West Bengal, the poll panel said it looked “undignified to even respond” to it.  

The EC, however, said injuries sustained by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at Nandigram on March 10 “is indeed an unfortunate incident and deserves to be inquired into with promptitude and dispatch”.

“Having said that it is rather unfortunate that the memorandum in question is full of insinuations and averments, which in fact questions the very basis of creation and functioning of Election Commission,” the poll panel said in its letter to the TMC.

“This virtually amounts to undermining the very foundation of the Constitution of India, the most sacrosanct document in democratic polity. The Commission does not appropriate or take over the day-to-day governance of any state including West Bengal...,” it noted.

The EC also slammed the TMC for linking the shunting of state DGP Virendra with Wednesday’s Nandigram incident.

It said, “DGP wasn’t removed without any application of mind. It was the outcome of the recommendation given by special observers. Yesterday also when the commission became aware of the incident, a report was immediately sought from WB chief secretary and special observers within 48 hours.”

Earlier in the day, the ruling TMC slammed the poll panel for failing to provide proper security to Banerjee and said the EC can’t shun responsibility as it is in charge of law and order situation in the state.

A TMC delegation that met the EC officials in Kolkata today accused the poll panel of acting “as per orders” of the BJP leaders.

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