West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has accused the BJP of threatening people to send central probe agencies to their homes if they do not vote for the saffron party in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. She advised locals, particularly the Rajbanshis in Cooch Behar, to ensure that their names are on the voters’ list to protect themselves from the Citizenship (Amendment) Act or CAA.
Banerjee alleged that the BJP is using central agencies like the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to intimidate people into voting for the party. She stated this during a public distribution program in Cooch Behar.
The West Bengal chief minister also criticized the BJP’s involvement in ethnic violence in BJP-ruled Manipur. She alleged that over 200 churches were set on fire and several women were paraded naked during the strife in the northeastern state. Banerjee emphasized that she follows the teachings of various religious texts, including the Ramayana, Quran, Bible, and Guru Granth Sahib, and does not engage in political drama.
Banerjee accused the Centre of bringing up the issue of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act or CAA for political purposes before the Lok Sabha polls. She stated that the BJP is once again speaking about the CAA, but she believes it is just politics. Banerjee highlighted that the state has already granted citizenship to everyone, including those living in border areas.
During a public meeting in Kakdwip, Union Minister and BJP leader Shantanu Thakur claimed that the CAA would be implemented across India within the next seven days. Banerjee responded to this statement while speaking at the program in Cooch Behar and accused the Border Security Force (BSF) of torturing people and issuing separate identity cards to residents in border areas. She cautioned locals against accepting these identity cards from the BSF, as it could trap them in the National Register of Citizens (NRC).
Banerjee directed the chief secretary, district magistrates, and superintendents of police to closely monitor matters involving the BSF. She also expressed shock over the granting of bail to six CISF personnel accused in the Sitalkuchi firing incident during the 2021 assembly elections in the state. Banerjee urged people to lodge complaints with the police if they experience any mistreatment by the BSF.
The chief minister further criticized the central government for not paying the dues owed to the state and issued an ultimatum for the funds to be cleared by February 1. She emphasized that the people of West Bengal should receive their entitled benefits and vowed to take action if the funds are not released.
Last week, Banerjee gave the central government seven days to clear all pending funds owed to the state. If the funds are not cleared, her party has threatened to launch a massive protest.
