In what seems to be a counter move against Trinamul Congress chief Mamata Banerjee’s charges that “there was a conspiracy to start a communal riot in some parts of the city”, the ruling CPI(M) on Tuesday shot off a letter to the state election commissioner alleging that Trinamul Congress chief is violating the model code of conduct by inciting communal tension.
Significantly, the Trinamul Congress chief had alleged on Friday, “There was a conspiracy to start communal riot in some parts of the city. But these conspiracies will not help as it’s clear to everybody now that those who (read the CPI(M)) are scared resort to terror tactics.”
Taking it as a strong exception (to Ms Banerjee’s claim of knowledge about “a plan to incite communal trouble before the polls”) chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee questioned her secular credentials.
“Who gave her the information.... This issue has never before cropped up ahead of polls in Bengal. She is criminalising the language of state politics,” he said.
Calling the state election commissioner Meera Pandey’s attention to this violation of the code of conduct (sub-clause one of clause one) as published by the state election commission, CPI(M) state secretary Biman Bose demanded appropriate steps against this uncalled for statement which is quite incompatible with the law of public representation as stipulated by the commission.