In a serious complaint lodged with the Election Commission of India, the CPI(M) has alleged that Trinamool Congress MP and Mamata Banerjee’s election manger in East Midnapore Subhendu Adhikary has fixed seven police officers in a bid to “neutralise” the Central forces through them.
These cops include the officers in-charge (SHOs) of Haldia, Panskura, Ramnagar, Moyna, Mahisda, senior CPI(M) leader Rabin Deb on Tuesday said after filing his complaint with Chief Electoral Officer Sunil Gupta. The complaint had been forwarded to Delhi EC, sources said.
Earlier, CPI(M) State secretary and politburo member Suryakanta Mishra said quoting reports that Adhikary had in the night intervening 1st and 2nd May met these officers clandestinely inside the Banamali College at Panshkura. “The meeting took place at around 1.40 am and we have concrete evidence of that” he said.
Deb said the officers were specifically briefed by Adhikary to “neutralise” the Central forces by arranging meat and liquor for them. “The plan is to keep the Central forces busy elsewhere by entertaining them. We even have the corroborative evidence including the statements of the shops from where liquor and other things will be supplied,” Deb alleged saying “a Trinamool MP has promised to pay for the expenses.”
The ECI had largely been successful in containing violence, booth capturing and rigging in earlier phases of polls.
“Now as they face defeat Mamata Banerjee is employing tricks like threatening the police officers of dire consequences after the elections. When even threats have failed they are now trying to blunt the Commission’s effort to conduct free and fair polls by using the police officers to influence the central forces. The local police normally acts as the eye, ear and guide for the central forces,” Deb said hoping the Commission will take appropriate action against the erring officials.
When contacted, Adhikary refused to comment. “I will not make any comment. Rather I will advise Mishra to visit a psychiatrist.”
Incidentally, the Commission had on earlier occasions blunted the Trinamool Congress’ ploy to bungle the elections by ordering last-minute transfer of police officers including Kolkata Police Commissioner, SPs and DMs of several districts and even the lower-level officers like OCs.
This had provoked the Bengal Chief Minister to lambast the Commission questioning its impartiality. She also said at various meetings, “we are watching the police officers who are dancing to the tune of some mad people in Delhi. But mind you when I return to power I will take account of it all.”