Narendra Modi dares Election Commission to act against him

KOLKATA: BJP’s prime ministerial nominee Narendra Modi on Sunday criticised the Election Commission (EC) for, what he called, its failure to play a neutral role in handling the third phase of elections in the state held on April 30.

Addressing another rally at Asansol, Modi said "I am making a serious complaints against you (EC). EC officials present here can take note of my observations. You (EC) may slap another case on me. But I urge you to do your duty properly. This is your responsibility to see elections are held in a free and fair manner, so that no one rigs the polls. The entire administration is now under your control and why are you not being able to hold fair polls? Holding elections is an expensive affair and EC should play a neutral role in discharging its duties," Modi said in reference to the April 30 elections in the state, which the opposition parties had said were rigged.

"Once again, I am saying that in Bihar and Bengal same thing will happen: rigging and violence and you (EC) have the machinery to check it," Modi said.

The Gujarat chief minister also said that those being forced to flee Bangladesh may be taken care of but stern action will be initiated against the infiltrators.

"Infiltrators from Bangladesh will have to go back. Those who are taking away jobs here have to leave. Our priority is to provide jobs to the youths of our country. This is our first responsibility. Infiltrators from Bangladesh will have to go back," Modi told a BJP rally at Bankura in West Bengal.

This was a reiteration of Modi’s earlier comment on Bangladeshi infiltration, made on April 27 at a rally in Serampore, which was contested by West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee. "Illegal immigrants from the neighbouring country will have to pack their bags," Modi had told the rally in Serampore.

Modi also came down heavily on Banerjee, who described him as a "paper tiger".

"Why are you afraid of a paper tiger? If you have the courage you please book the Saradha chit fund culprits and put all of them behind bars. If you can do this, I will admit you are a real tiger," Modi said.