West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has been banned from campaigning in the state for 24 hours.
According to media reports, the Election Commission of India barred the CM from "campaigning in any manner" from April 12 8 pm to April 13 8 pm, for violating model code of conduct (MCC).
She is accused of violating the MCC with her remarks against central forces and a statement which had alleged religious overtones.
The poll body said her “highly insinuating” and “provocative remarks” have “serious potential” to cause a breakdown of law and order during the polls. "Commission hereby condemns such statements potent with serious law and order problems across the state(s) and sternly warns Mamata Banerjee and advises her to desist from using such statements while making public utterances during the period when Model Code of Conduct is in force," the order from the EC said.
Reacting to the ban, the chief minister said she would stage a dharna in Kolkata from 12 noon. Taking to Twitter, she said, "To protest against the undemocratic and unconstitutional decision of the Election Commission of India, I will sit on dharna tomorrow at Gandhi Murti, Kolkata from 12 noon."
Earlier, on April 9, the EC had issued a notice to the Trinamool Congress chief for her alleged statements against central armed police forces deputed on election duty in the state. The EC said Banerjee prima facie violated various sections of the Indian Penal Code with her remarks against the central forces.
Assembly elections in West Bengal began on March 27 and four of the eight phases of the polls have been completed.
—With PTI inputs
