The Election Commission today imposed a 24-hour ban on Trinamool Congress supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for violating the Model Code of Conduct. This bars the CM from campaigning in any manner from 8 pm April 12 till 8 pm April 13. Meanwhile, Banerjee has threatened to sit on a ‘dharna’ in view of the ban.
“To protest against the undemocratic and unconstitutional decision of the Election Commission of India, I will sit on dharna tomorrow at Gandhi Murti, Kolkata from 12 noon,” Mamata said in a tweet.
It is to recall while addressing a poll rally in Tarakeshwar Hooghly on April 03, Mamata Banerjee had allegedly urged the Muslim community not to allow their votes to be divided among different parties. At another rally, she made provocative remarks against central forces.
“Mamata Banerjee has in violation of the provisions of the Model Code of Conduct as well as Section 123(3) & 3A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 and Sections 186, 189 and 505 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 made highly insinuating and provocative remarks laden with serious potential of the breakdown of law & order and thereby adversely affecting the election process,” the EC’s order said. It said that the “commission also imposes a ban of 24 hours on Ms Mamata Banerjee from campaigning in any manner from 8.00 pm of April 12 till 8.00 pm of April 13”.
