Opposition criticises Mamata Banerjee for outburst against Election Commission

KOLKATA: The opposition parties in West Bengal today criticised Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for her outbrusts against the Election Commission and termed it "undemocratic" and "authoritarian".

"SPs and DMs were transferred during polls during the Left Front rule too. This is nothing new. At that time TMC welcomed such transfers. But now that TMC is in power, Mamata Banerjee is opposing it. This is undemocratic and authoritarian. We condemn it," CPI(M) candidate from Jadavpur Sujan Chakraborty said.

In a confrontation with the Election Commission on removal of a DM and five SPs, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today accused the poll panel of playing into the hands of Congress and BJP and said transfers had been ordered without consulting the state government.

"The EC was convinced that there can't be free and fair polls with this administrative structure. So they decided to transfer some of the officers. This is not a political decision but a decision to ensure free and fair poll by the EC," state Congress leader Pradip Bhattacharya said.