Mamata alleges poll code violation in Malda

Statesman News Service

MALDA, April 10: After campaigning in some areas in Kharba yesterday , the Trinamul chief Miss Mamata Banerjee today alleged that the model code of conduct was ‘totally violated’ in Chanchal. Speaking to reporters in Malda, Miss Banerjee said: “No body can promise or commit development work during election campaigning but some senior leaders who are against Trinamul did not bother to follow the election code of conduct there. I found it was totally violated. What is the returning officer doing there?” She mainly reacted to the comments of the PCC chief and Union information and broadcasting minister Mr Priya Ranjan Das Mushi, who allegedly promised to the people that he would build a stadium in Chanchal. During an election campaign yesterday he also said that he had arranged for Rs 25 crore for the construction of a bridge over the river Mahananda at Aashapur but the CPI(M) did nothing for it. “We will not lodge any complaint with the election commission on this issue but the returning officer and the commission should take action because it is their duty”, said Miss Banerjee. The Trinamul chief also pointed out that the Congress was organising a grand feast (meat and rice) in many villages to bag votes. She urged the people not to cast votes in favour of the Congress. “If you cast vote for them it w-ould go to the CPI (M) because both are same,” she added. Talking to local journalists, she said: “It would take time to convince the people of Malda and Murshidabad that the Trinamul led Progressive Secular Democratic Front is the only alternative to the CPI-M and the Congress here”. On the other hand, the PCC chief pointed out that Miss Mamata Banerjee has come to campaign here to win the CPI-M narrowing the margin of the Congress. “There was a good relation between Mamata and Badalda (former MLA Mahabubul Hoque). We could not think that Mamata will field a candidate here against the son of former MLA, Mr Asif Mahebub”, said Mr Priya Ranjan Das Munshi. During election campaign Miss Banerjee did not forget to mention the name of A B A Ghani Khan Choudhury and she pointed out that she did not field candidates to pay respect to him. Till today Miss Mamata Banerjee was campaigning in Kharba Assembly areas till last hours of the prohibitory order to stop campaign.##

In Malda, Trinamul Congress chief Miss Mamata Banerjee expressed serious concern about the unrest in the Dajee-ling Hills and in Siliguri on the issue of Gorkhaland. She held the CPI-M and the Congress responsible for the unrest.On the alliance between the GJMM, Kamtapur Progressive Party and Greater Cooch Behar Democratic Party and their demand for separate states, Miss Banerjee said: “The Trinamul does not believe in separatism. But there should be a peaceful dialogue.”