Kolkata, April 26 (IANS) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday alleged that the BJP and the Election Commission of India (ECI) were using CRPF and police personnel to influence the ongoing Assembly elections.

Addressing an election rally at Camac Street under the Bhabanipur constituency, Mamata Banerjee targeted the BJP, accusing it of using central forces to loot EVMs and indulge in “goondagiri”.

“They have deployed 200,000 police personnel here. I heard about two incidents yesterday — criminals were whisked away wrapped in blankets. They went to polling stations and seized the EVM machines. Keep a close watch on the areas where voting has already concluded,” CM Banerjee said.

Taking a dig at the Election Commission, CM Banerjee said, “If someone goes to seize the EVM machines, you should see. There should not be load shedding. We don’t have load shedding here. They are going to loot by turning off the electricity, wearing masks, and wrapping blankets. They have other intentions. But you should not get caught in this. Don’t let anyone else get caught either. They are using CRPF to indulge in goondagiri.”

She also criticised the poll panel, alleging that the state police were being used to work in the BJP’s favour.

“What else can I say about the police here? They have appointed people who have a BJP mindset. They are not taking any action. They are taking action against our party. The Election Commission will not have control after May 4. You will stay. We will feed you sweets. We will see to your family. Why will you work for the BJP? I don’t want you to work for the Trinamool Congress as well. You should work impartially. You should work for the people of the state. This is my request,” CM Banerjee said.

Thanking the people, the Trinamool Congress supremo said: “Stay well, stay on the right path. Vote for us. We scored a century in the first phase, we will do it again in the second phase. The BJP is scared. If you are scared, you will die. That is why the central forces have been brought in. All the OCs have been changed. The DM has been changed. They are doing hooliganism.”

–IANS

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