Mamata Banerjee terms ECI 'BJP commission'; BJP hits back

Chief minister Mamata Banerjee described the Election Commission of India as 'BJP Commission' and questioned ECI's impartiality in deploying only central forces in Cooch Behar. Speaking at Murshidabad's minority-dominated Jangipur, she said she will not allow NRC, CAA or uniform civil code to be implemented in Bengal. "I want to bring to your (ECI) knowledge, why only central forces and armed police from the central government are being deployed in Cooch Behar and there are no state police? I am shocked and condemn it."

"I am not against the central forces. But they are using the central force as their party cadres," she said. Banerjee said Cooch Behar BJP candidate Nishith Pramanik was allegedly controlling the central forces in the constituency. "Today's election in Cooch Behar is being conducted by MoS home Minister Nishith Pramanik. How can the junior home minister give instructions to central forces and CAPF. They are controlled by him," she said.

BJP spokesman Shamik Bhattacharya said: "The CM is tense as her police brothers are unable to take action. People have stopped and prevented Trinamool. She knows the result and is thus attacking Pramanik."