The Election Commission of India on Sunday ruled out the “attack” on West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee in Nandigram, calling it an accident. The panel came to the conclusion following a meeting on the issue after receiving a report on Friday.
The EC, however, criticised the chief minister’s security personnel for lapses on their part. The poll body rebuked director of security Vivek Sahay for sitting in the bullet-proof car meant for the VVIP, while the CM was using a normal vehicle.
“The chief minister flouted the prescribed security norms/protocols, which could have led to tragic consequences,” the EC said.
It also recommended stringent action against Sahay and formation of a high-level committee to take action against people who failed in their duty to prevent the incident.
The incident happened on Wednesday when Banerjee was in Nandigram to file her nomination for the state assembly elections. The TMC chief said that she had been pushed against her by 4-5 men who shut the door on her. No police personnel were seen near her at the time.
She was taken to the SSKM Hospital in Kolkata following the incident, which she alleged was a “planned attack”.
The 66-year-old is now back on the campaign trail in a wheelchair.
The Bharatiya Janata Party, who are aggressively campaigning to oust the two-time chief minister in the upcoming polls, called it a “drama” to gain sympathy from voters.
The ruling Trinamool Congress, however, had called it a conspiracy. A six-member delegation met with the EC and submitted a memorandum, alleging how BJP leaders had threatened Banerjee using social media and other tools.
The party had also made allegations against Suvendu Adhikari, the BJP candidate from Nandigram in the upcoming assembly polls.
