The two-day visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Bangladesh last week was full of political symbolism, particularly given his outreach to the Matua community there.
Not surprisingly, the Trinamool Congress had been upset about the visit, alleging it was used for political purposes given the ongoing Assembly polls in West Bengal.
On Tuesday, a copy of a complaint from the TMC to the Election Commission about Modi's Bangladesh visit was released to mediapersons. The letter had been dated March 28.
In the letter, the TMC stated it "strongly objects to Shri Modi's programmes in Bangladesh on March 27. These had nothing to do with either the 50th anniversary of the Independence of Bangladesh or the birth centenary of 'Bangabandhu'. Rather, they were solely and exclusively intended to influence the voting pattern in certain constituencies in the ongoing elections to the Legislative Assembly of West Bengal".
Criticising Modi, the TMC alleged, "No Indian Prime Minister has so brazenly indulged in an unethical and undemocratic act, and violated the Model Code of Conduct, by indirectly campaigning for his party from foreign soil."
The TMC sought to substantiate its charge against Modi by pointing out who accompanied him on the visit. “... the political motive behind Modi's visit to Orakandi in Bangladesh is doubly proven by the fact that he took along with him Shri Santanu Thakur, a BJP MP from West Bengal, who holds no official position in the Government of India. No MP or representative from Trinamool Congress or other parties was invited to accompany the PM," the TMC informed the Election Commission.
The TMC alleged Modi had "grossly misused his official position to interfere from foreign soil in the election process in West Bengal".
The TMC sought action against Modi, stating, "The All India Trinamool Congress demands that the Election Commission of India not only censure him but also take deterrent punitive action against him so that he dares not repeat such misconduct in future."
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West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had hit out at Modi over the Bangladesh visit on March 27. Accusing Modi of trying to influence voters, Mamata declared her party would complain to the Election Commission.
"In 2019 Lok Sabha polls, when a Bangladeshi actor attended our rally, BJP spoke to Bangladesh government and cancelled his visa. When polls are under way here, you (PM) go to Bangladesh to seek votes from one section of people. Why shouldn't your visa be cancelled? We will complain to the Election Commission," Mamata was quoted by NDTV as saying.
