Hummingbird News Desk
NEW DELHI, 12 APRIL: The Election Commission of India has imposed a 24-hour ban on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee from campaigning for violation of provisions of Model Code of Conduct and sections of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
“West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee has in violation of provisions of Model Code of Conduct…made insinuating and provocative remarks laden with serious potential of breakdown of law and order and thereby adversely affecting the election process,” EC said in a statement.
Terming EC’s decision as ‘undemocratic’ and ‘unconstitutional’, Mamata Banerjee said she will sit on dharna tomorrow at Gandhi Murti to protest against campaign ban.
TMC leader Derek O Brien strongly condemned EC order and termed 12 April as “black day in our democracy”.
The poll panel had earlier issued notices to Banerjee for violating the model code of conduct. Mamata had allegedly urged the Muslim community to vote for the TMC at a public meeting in Tarakeshwar on 3 April. At another rally, she had accused central forces of intimidating voters and asked the crowd to gherao central security forces.
“The commission condemns such statements portent 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 Commission also imposes a ban of 24 hours on Mamata Banerjee campaigning in any manner from 8 PM of April 12 till 8 PM of April 13,” the ECI order said.
