Just hours after the declaration of West Bengal poll dates, central forces are being deployed all over the state. They have been asked the carry out massive route march all over the state.
One of the two police observers, Vivek Dube, will visit the state on February 28. Dube, a 1981 Andhra Pradesh Cadre IPS officer, who played a key role in investigating Bilkis Bano case of CBI, was the police observer during 2019 Lok Sabha election.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her displeasure about sending Dube to Bengal again. "We all know what he did in 2019," said Mamata.
The BJP had alleged that their rallies are being halted in different parts of the state, including in Kolkata, and they believe that Dube would now play a key role in addressing their issues.
"Now model code of conduct has been imposed. If they do a single nuisance, we will take it to the election commission through observers," said state BJP vice president Biswapriyo Roychowdhury.
Around 150 companies of central forces have already arrived in the state. Though the commission is yet to disclose the total forces to be used during the poll, it is believed that more than 1,000 companies would be used this time. The number of polling booths have been increased to more than one lakh this time in comparison to 77,000 during last Lok Sabha election. The sharp increase of both numbers is due to COVID-19 protocol.
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Dube has called all senior police official to meet him. It is learned that key changes would be undertaken across different echelons of the police administration.
Dubai's visit will also coincide with the visit of Union Home Minister Amit Shah who would visit the state on March 2 and would stay for two days. "Amit ji will hold two rallies in North and South Kolkata," said a senior BJP leader.
BJP is eying at least seven out of 15 seats in and around Kolkata where the party would put up strong candidates.
On March 7, the party would hold a massive rally in Brigade parade ground in Kolkata. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the rally. The BJP expects 10 lakh people to attend the rally at the historic ground.
