'Logical discrepancy not part of EC's framework, used in Bengal to benefit BJP': Mamata

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday (April 14) said that "logical discrepancy" under the SIR exercise was being selectively applied in West Bengal to politically benefit the BJP, adding that the category was not part of the Election Commission’s framework.

"There is no officially recognised term like 'logical discrepancy' under the framework of the Election Commission. It is being selectively applied in West Bengal, unlike in Bihar, to benefit the BJP,” said Banerjee.

'Stand firm against security forces'

Addressing rallies at Pingla in Paschim Medinipur, Tamluk in Purba Medinipur and Domjur in Howrah, the TMC supremo urged women to stand firm against security forces if they try to stop them from voting. However, she clarified that she was not asking them to assault anyone or start a riot.

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"The job of the central forces is to maintain peace. We have no objection to that. But what if they prevent people from voting? I will request women to keep brooms in their hands and stand firm against those wearing boots and carrying arms. I am not asking you to assault anyone or incite a riot, but you must do everything to safeguard your rights," Banerjee said.

"I even moved the Supreme Court to protect your rights, and only after that, the names of 32 lakh voters were enlisted," she added.

Questions central forces deployment

Questioning the large deployment of Central forces in poll-bound Bengal, the Chief Minister said that if the objective was to ensure peace, then West Bengal Police could have served the purpose. But instead, Central forces were brought from outside, she added.

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"They have brought in officers who are close to the BJP and replaced the ICs... If your sole aim was to keep peace here, you could have used the West Bengal Police. Why, instead of doing that, did you take away all their powers and bring in central forces from outside? People don't see central forces during any natural calamity or riot," said Banerjee.

Call to vote against BJP

The TMC supremo, urging people to vote against the BJP, said, "The BJP has snatched everything from you... Voting against it would be your only way to take revenge."

“The BJP is holding rallies at places that have direct railway connectivity with Uttar Pradesh and Bihar so that they can bring in people from those states to fill up the venues,” she alleged.

Allegations of pre-poll intimidation

She further alleged that ahead of the elections, "instructions have been given to arrest booth agents".

Banerjee said the TMC would defeat the BJP in the elections through what she called "a strong political fight".

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Raising concerns over the voting process, she alleged that outsiders could be brought in to create disruptions during counting, including power cuts or tampering with EVMs, terming such acts as "undemocratic".

(With agency inputs)