A never-seen-before and no holds barred attack from the West Bengal CM.
Scooping up 34 seats during the Lok Sabha polls. A disunited, dispirited opposition. It all looked hunky dory for TMC supremo and West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, till the crows came calling. The double whammy of the Narada sting and flyover accident and a desperate opposition coming together for existence, have pushed the ruling party to the edge. Added to this is the extremely proactive approach shown by the Election Commission during the ongoing assembly polls. It has incensed many TMC leaders like Sonali Guha who was caught openly asking her workers to attack a CPIM agent. But no one is as incensed as Didi who virtually started a tirade against her own police department during an election rally in East Midnapore district on Sunday. The security forces apparently showed so much alacrity that the TMC supremo said she has missed sleep for 2-3 days!
PTI quoted Mamata Banerjee as saying, "Those responsible will have to face the consequences. The Election Commission's duty is to ensure free and fair polls, but they have unleashed terror with the help of a section of police officials". Virtually taking a jibe at the new Kolkata Police Commissioner Soumen Mitra, the West Bengal Chief Minister said, "If someone thinks by getting power for 15 days, he will do anything, then he is mistaken. Enough is enough. I am gentle to those who are good, but if anybody shows red eyes (anger) at me, then he will have to face the consequences," she said.
She further claimed that she has never seen such an election so far. Alluding to the strict checking done even in her own backward of Bhavanipore, Didi said that famous clubs were also shut down. Section 144 was imposed in the 'festival of democracy' as if some riots have happened, Didi alleged. "They were terrorising voters through the night using mikes. I am the chief minister of the state, even I could not sleep for two-three nights due to the police 'tandaav'," she said.
She also alleged that the policemen were working at the behest of opposition parties. In a not so veiled threat, Didi said, "I have kept a record of everything, what each one has done, whether good or bad. I will give an appropriate answer for all the atrocities if I am alive".
Interestingly, the TMC supremo made the remarks from the East Midnapore district, a place which has become synonymous with TMC's rejuvenation and subsequent climb to power. Many believe it is a way for Didi to energise her cadres before the last poll phase on 5 May, so that they don't become slack and ensure that TMC wins in an election which, according to experts, is probably going down to the wires.
But the big question remains - is it behove of someone occupying a high constitutional post to cast aspersions on her own police forces? Incidentally, she is also the Police Minister of the state. If indeed some police officers showed over zealousness and broke the law or went out of line, there are proper legal ways to deal with it. But high-handed behaviour, virtual threats and preempting future moves and casting aspersions is a despicable attempt to subvert the elections.
By now it is well-known that the Election Commission, ably assisted by the security forces, especially the CRPF, have thwarted almost all attempts that tried to intimidate voters or using untoward means during the polls. The elections have also been held in relative peace as compared to the past. But this doesn't seem to have gone down well with the ruling party, especially the behaviour of the police. Politicians still like to believe that police are subservient to them - a mere machinery to exert state power. Their independent actions often upset the political applecart and hence the vile ire.
However, the opposition in West Bengal, especially the Left, have no high moral ground to speak of. Infact, blurring the lines of police and party started under their regime, where the Local Committees were the all-powerful units. 'Scientific rigging' was also a term coined under the Left reign. Mamata Banerjee's TMC remains extremely popular, especially in the rural areas, despite some setbacks. But not being able to 'manage' the election is essentially making her nervous. Mamata will probably return, albeit with a smaller mandate on May 19. But this rant against her own police force will stay as one of the most darkest hours of her five-year rule.
No amount of sharojantro (conspiracy) theories can change that fact.
With PTI inputs
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