Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday reiterated that Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar stole votes for the benefit of the BJP while ECI Director General (IT) Seema Khanna removed voters from the final voters list during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). She alleged that her loss in Bhabanipur constituency to Chief Minsiter Suvendu Adhikari was due to software tampering.
“I was winning by a 15,000 margin. They (counting agents) beat me, my agents and chased us away. They locked the CCTV. They hacked the EVM machine. I am telling you with confidence Seema Khanna and Gyanesh Kumar hijacked the election and counting process,” said Mamata.
“Why was she (Seema Khanna) deputed? What is her credibility? Who is she? A BJP supporter and promoter. BJP started this agency through her,” stated Mamata.
Mamata and Abhishek along with other TMC MPs were addressing a press conference in Delhi, a day after the INDIA bloc meeting brought together 23 political parties on the national stage. The Mamata All India Trinamool Congress (MAITC) says the alliance stands as a collective irrespective of political colour including the Left Front as the country is facing a crisis. “This issue is not about the colour red. When the country is facing crises, we have to come together,” said Mamata.
The former West Bengal CM also spoke about two lakh central security forces being brought into the state during elections to intimidate people and prevent them from voting for her party.” Police went door to door and threatened people to not vote for Trinamool. This was done by CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force),” said Mamata.
Her nephew and MP Abhishek Banerjee alleged that in 150 assembly constituencies in West Bengal, voter deletions and Under Adjudication (UA) cases were more than the winning margins. “150 seats Gyanesh Kumar gifted to BJP,” said Abhishek Banerjee.
Mamata and Abhishek cited district-wise figures of deletions and comparison to the 2011 assembly election voters list, which propelled Mamata to power in her state, to oust the erstwhile Left Front government.
Abhishek also questioned why BJP was answering instead of EC officials, including CEC. “When Gyanesh Kumar is questioned, BJP leaders are answering. If questions are put across to the Chief Election Commissioner, answers should come from him. From the Election Commission. Some are saying he should get the Bharat Ratna. Give him the Bharat Ratna for stealing votes,” said Abhishek.
The INDIA bloc meeting on Wednesday has given Mamata’s party hope to come together and be relevant on the national stage, in unison against the BJP and removal of CEC. Mamata’s outreach is a way to show that her voice against SIR since the beginning of the voter revision exercise and her appearing in the Supreme Court has not gone in vain. Despite losing ground in West Bengal, Mamata’s party is looking to make a strong political statement on the national stage.
