Mamata alleges EC of working to help the BJP

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday alleged that the Election Commission's three special observers were ordering the police officers to detain TMC workers during poll hours. She further added that she would move the Supreme Court against this 'conspiracy' and "partisan approach" after the elections. The Bengal CM was addressing her party members at the Gitanjali auditorium in Bolpur in Birbhum district.

"Enough is enough. I don't have any issue if they (EC observers) are working for free and fair elections, but they have been working only to help the BJP. They want to finish off Trinamool," the chief minister alleged. She added that she couldn't be silenced even if show-caused.

Showing a transcript of an alleged chat between the special observers with DMs and SPs, she said, "These officials are giving orders to detain our men on the night before the polls and keep them in custody till 4 pm. This WhatsApp conversation has been given to me by people in BJP."

"However, these three retired people won't be able to influence the elections. Their partisan conduct will help BJP win only seven-eight seats. I personally don't believe BJP will cross the 70-mark," she claimed.

She further slammed the Election Commission for the rise of coronavirus cases in the state, alleging that the inter-district movement of people for poll-related works is the reason behind the crisis. She claimed that central forces and people from other states who came for campaigning were not made to undergo the RT-PCR tests.