West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee

Kolkata: Referring to the power cut during the counting of votes in Nandigram during the 2021 assembly elections, CM Mamata Banerjee on Sunday put her workers on alert and asked why complaints of power cut were coming from the EVM strongroom after the first phase of the assembly elections.Addressing back-to-back rallies in Bhawanipur, from where she is contesting, the CM said, “Look at the EC! It is your job to ensure that EVMs are not caught. Why is there so much load-shedding? It is clearly a sign of malicious intent. I urge you not to fall into their trap.”He also led a march in Bhawanipur and greeted voters.Banerjee said she was leading by 4,000 votes in Nandigram before the power failure at the counting centre. The trend reversed after supplies resumed and she ultimately lost the East Midnapore seat to BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari by less than 2,000 votes. Banerjee challenged the result in the Calcutta High Court and the case is still sub judice.Urging voters to remain alert, the CM said, “Everyone should cast their vote. They will try to tamper with the EVMs. If a machine malfunctions, come to vote again. Do not vote in a machine which has malfunctioned earlier. Each EVM should be thoroughly checked. Central forces will try to capture the EVMs; they are influenced by the Election Commission. Let them do whatever they want. Women will be allowed to vote from the day of voting till the end of counting.” EVMs should be protected till now.”“Criticizing the Election Commission for alleged bias, the CM said, “Police officers have been selected (by the EC). They (officers) have close links with the BJP.”Without naming anyone, he said that the Election Commission has brought in an OC in South Kolkata who regularly posts in support of the BJP. He alleged that officials “brought in by the BJP” were committing atrocities. Banerjee accused the Election Commission of turning a blind eye to the influx of cash into Bhawanipur. “I heard that they (BJP) will distribute cash in the slums… There are some people in your community too who are ready to be bought. They may give you Rs 5,000 for your vote, but after that, you will be abused and insulted every day.” Without naming Rahul Gandhi, the CM hit back at his “tacit understanding” statement: “Some people say I have a tacit understanding with the BJP. I would like to remind him that when people were being harassed during SIR, he had refused to join hands and submit a memorandum to the Election Commission. I fought for the people. I went to Delhi, Election Commission and Supreme Court. Due to my efforts, names of 32 lakh voters have been retained in the list.” “All valid voters will be re-enrolled sooner or later. But I am saddened that so many legitimate voters did not get justice.” Referring to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the CM said, “HM uses abusive language.” he is scared. He thinks that he will win by spreading fear. Remember if you try to create fear we know how to counter.” Banerjee said that she has found a video which shows that votes for one party are being registered in the name of another. “If they ask you to go, don’t go. Stand your ground and say, ‘Wait, I’ll see if my vote is going to the right place.’ Say, ‘I want to see VVPAT.’