Delhi is behaving as if emergency has been imposed: Mamata Banerjee

Jalpaiguri (WB), Mar 18: Taking strong exception to the removal of some officials by the Election Commission in poll-bound West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today said Delhi was behaving as if emergency was imposed.

"Tell me political parties, there is an elected government in the state and Delhi is behaving in such a way as if emergency is imposed. If elections cannot be held in Bengal with the state police forces, it cannot be held in Delhi with the help of the Delhi police as well. This will be our demand.

"I would like to see what kind of precedence the Election Commission sets then?" she said while addressing an election rally on the last day of her campaign in north Bengal.

The Election Commission had yesterday removed 37 officials, including a District Magistrate (DM) and four Superintendents of Police (SPs) in the state.

"If you don't have confidence in the Bengal administration, I have no objection. You can transfer anybody, but whoever you select for the posting is our man. He is from our state. One officer will go and another officer will come for one-and-a-half months," Mamata said.

In a sarcastic vein, she told the Opposition, "Do one thing, approach (Barack) Obama. Tell the USA to supply forces. Deploy them in villages. Then see whether the people vote for you or not".

Referring to the BJP and CPI-M, she said, "Will the Election Commission also cast votes for you?"

PTI