West Bengal Election 2021: Mamata Banerjee Stages Dharna in Kolkata to Protest EC’s 24-Hour Campaign Ban

Election Commission has barred the Trinamool Congress supremo from campaigning from 8 pm on April 12 to 8 pm on April 13.

Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and TMC supremo staged a dharna in Kolkata’s Gandhi Murti on Tuesday to protest Election Commission’s 24-hour ban on her campaigning. Notably, the poll panel’s order came after Banerjee’s remarks against central forces and a statement which had alleged religious overtones. EC barred the Trinamool Congress supremo from campaigning from 8 pm on April 12 to 8 pm on April 13.

After the ban, Banerjee termed EC’s decision as ‘unconstitutional” and ‘undemocratic’ Taking to Twitter, she wrote, ‘To protest against the undemocratic and unconstitutional decision of the Election Commission of India, I will sit on dharna tomorrow at Gandhi Murti, Kolkata from 12 noon.’

To protest against the undemocratic and unconstitutional decision of the Election Commission of India, I will sit on dharna tomorrow at Gandhi Murti, Kolkata from 12 noon.

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) April 12, 2021

‘Commission hereby condemns such statements potent with serious law and order problems across the state (s) and sternly warns Mamata Banerjee and advises her to desist from using such statements while making public utterances during the period when Model Code of Conduct is in force,’ the commission said in its order.

Assembly polls in West Bengal began on March 27, and the remaining four of the eight phases of elections will be held between April 17 and April 29.

TMC leaders slam EC’s decision

Members of the Trinammol Congress joined Banerjee in slamming the poll panel for its decision on her. Coming down heavily on the EC, TMC national vice-president Yashwant Sinha said every institution of democracy has been compromised.

We always had a doubt about the impartiality of the EC. But today it has shed whatever pretence it had. Now it is clear that EC is acting at the behest of Modi/Shah and under their direct order. Every institution of democracy is compromised today. What hope do we have?

— Yashwant Sinha (@YashwantSinha) April 12, 2021

Derek O’Brien, the ruling party’s Rajya Sabha MP, said it was a black day for India’s democracy.

When you can’t beat us. You ban us. #BlackDayForDemocracy pic.twitter.com/REZgWqwF84

— Derek O’Brien | ডেরেক ও’ব্রায়েন (@derekobrienmp) April 12, 2021

Another party leader, Kunal Ghosh, said the decision to ban Banerjee from campaigning for 24 hours is ‘atrocious and smacks of authoritarianism’.

The BJP, however, welcomed the decision and accused TMC of vitiating the poll discourse. ‘The EC did the right thing. The way TMC leaders are instigating the people against the EC and the central forces is unacceptable,’ BJP leader Sourav Sikdar said.

(With PTI inputs)