Trinamool Congress writes to EC, accuses Amit Shah of violating MCC during his visit to West Bengal
Oct 29, 2024
Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], October 29 : The Trinamool Congress has written to the Election Commission, accusing Union Home Minister Amit Shah of violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) during his visit to the state for an "official function" ahead of the bypolls.
In its letter to the poll panel, West Bengal Trinamool Congress chief Subrata Bakshi alleged that Amit Shah made "slanderous remarks" against Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee in his speech and that his "politically charged" remarks were not connected to the event in which he was participating.
"During his official address at the Petrapole event, Union Home Minister Amit Shah made slanderous remarks against All India Trinamool Congress and Chairperson Mamata Banerjee with an intent to defame. The politically charged remarks -- calling for a "parivartan in 2026" -- were in no way connected to the event in question, raising serious doubts over the Union Home Minister's intentions to maintain the line between official events and electioneering work," the letter said
The party cited Election Commission notification concerning Model Code of Conduct (MCC) in bypolls and said the guidelines state that ministers shall not make use of official machinery for election work.
It said that Amit Shah chose to make "politically coloured" remarks at an official event in Petrapole.
The letter said that the Election Commission should issue "show cause notice to the Union Home Minister for violation of MCC at an official event in poll-bound district".
It also called for directions to restrain BJP leaders "from violating MCC" guidelines ahead of the bye-elections in 6 constituencies of West Bengal."
Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the Passenger Terminal Building and Maitri Dwar in Petrapole, West Bengal on October 27, built at a cost of Rs 487 crore by the Land Port Authority of India (LPAI).
He said peace in West Bengal can only be established when the support for illegal infiltration is stopped, leading to a complete halt of such infiltrations, this will usher in a new era of partnership with neighbouring countries.
Bypolls for West Bengal's six assembly seats will take place on November 13 with results to be declared on November 23.
