West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has demanded the resignation of Union Home Minister Amit Shah after four people died in central forces firing during polls on Saturday. "I had told you that the central force is carrying out a brutal method in this election. Union home minister is responsible for the violence. The BJP will never win this election," Banerjee said.
The Election Commission has sought a detailed report on the firing that took place at Sitalkuchi in Cooch Behar where four people died in the firing. Sources said the central forces were attacked at booth No. 126 of Sitalkuchi when they prevented the mob from carrying out violence inside the polling booth.
Two days ago, BJP president Dilip Ghosh's car was vandalised at Sitalkuchi. His car was entirely smashed and Ghosh was hit with stones. The central forces were activated after that, said a source.
"The central forces are carrying out attacks on people. Will you vote for the BJP?" Banerjee said at a rally on Saturday, upping her ante against the central forces.
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BJP MP from Cooch Behar Nisith Pramanik said this was the result of Banerjee's direct instigation earlier. "She had earlier asked people from a particular community to attack the central armed police. The Election Commission has sought her explanation. The commission should immediately take action against her," said Pramanik.
Police said trouble began in the morning when a child fell sick. When the central forces went to the place, some people rushed there and thought that the central force injured the boy. "Around 300 people then came with sharp weapons and started damaging polling booths. The armed forces were attacked. The central force had to fire to safeguard polling booths and election officials," said Debasish Dhar, SP Cooch Behar.
Earlier in the day, a man was gunned down by miscreants at Sitalkuchi. The BJP claimed that the man was their worker in Sitalkuchi. Sitalkuchi is close to the India-Bangladesh border and is largely inhabited by Muslims.
A five-member TMC team will meet the election commission later in the evening. The team will be led by senior minister Subrata Mukherjee.
