Maynaguri (WB), March 25 West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee launched a sharp attack on the BJP, the Centre, and the Election Commission on Wednesday, accusing them of misusing constitutional institutions to undermine democracy.
Addressing an election rally in North Bengal's Maynaguri, she alleged that the BJP-led Centre and the Election Commission were "stealing voting rights" and warned that the next step could be attempts to deprive citizens of their citizenship through the implementation of the NRC.
Banerjee also alleged that certain communities were being excluded from the electoral process through the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
"The names of Rajbanshis have been removed through SIR. Women's names are also being removed. If deaths occur due to SIR, who will take responsibility?" she asked.
The Trinamool Congress supremo said, "The EC, BJP, and the Centre are not following the Constitution and are trying to steal voting rights. Today, they are stealing voting rights; tomorrow, they will steal citizenship by bringing in the NRC."
Without naming Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Banerjee urged the gathering to "say goodbye to this gentleman here and the two gentlemen in Delhi."
The chief minister alleged that the ruling TMC was being deprived of power, but insisted that her biggest strength was the people of the state.
"They have taken everything from me. All I have in my hands now are the people," she said, while also attacking the BJP and the Election Commission for allegedly working together.
Earlier in the day, Banerjee made similar allegations at the Kolkata airport before leaving for North Bengal, referring to a six-year-old Election Commission document that allegedly carried the BJP's lotus symbol.
"Why are you hiding? Come and fight openly," she said.
Banerjee further stated that she had asked her party candidates to take lawyers with them while filing nomination papers, alleging that nominations had been cancelled in BJP-ruled Assam.
"I will ask our candidates to take lawyers with them while filing nominations. In Assam, several nominations have been cancelled. I do not have faith in the BJP and the Election Commission," she said.