In a major development, The Election Commission has imposed a 24-hour ban on West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee for violating the model code of conduct and for several remarks she made during the ongoing assembly elections in the state. The poll body said Mamata Banerjee cannot campaign in any manner from 8pm on Monday till 8pm on April 13.
“Whereas, the Commission has carefully considered the matter and is of the considered view that Ms. Mamata Banerjee, who also happens to be the Chief Minister of the State, has in violation of the provisions of Model Code of Conduct as well as Section 123(3) & (3A) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 and Sections 186, 189 and 505 of Indian Penal Code, 1860 made highly insinuating and provocative remarks laden with serious potential of breakdown of law & order and thereby adversely affecting the election process,” the commission said in its order.
The agency has previously served two notices to Banerjee in connection with the matter. First notice was issued for comments about central forces on Friday and Another notice was issued for “openly demanding votes on communal grounds”.
Mamata Banerjee announced a sit-in protest against the ban. “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,” she tweeted.
The ban till 8 pm on Tuesday – outgoing Election Commissioner Sunil Arora’s final order – comes half-way through the Bengal election, with four more rounds of voting left.
The Bengal Chief Minister, 66, had been served two notices last week by the Election Commission, which said her replies to them betrayed “selective amnesia”.
