TMC under fire as Rahul & Modi get different treatments in Kolkata

, May 6: The Calcutta Municipal Corporation on Monday refused permission to the Congress to hold an election rally in Park Circus Maidan in the city on May 8, four days ahead of the final phase of the ongoing Lok Sabha election. However, the rally of BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi scheduled a day before has been given the nod, raising quite a few eyebrows. The Congress approached the Election Commission and lodged a complaint against the

(TMC)-run civic body in Kolkata.

Congress candidate from Kolkata North constituency Somen Mitra had written to the civic authorities seeking permission for the rally but it was turned down.

TMC said the decision to deny permission to Rahul's rally was administrative

The Congress lashed out at the TMC, accusing it of maintaining double standards. It said although party supremo and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was attacking BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi in the open, the two sides actually had a secret understanding. State Congress leader Pradeep Bhattacharya said the TMC was afraid of Rahul Gandhi and was keeping a relation with Modi behind the curtain.

Sources in the TMC said it was an administrative decision and the party had no say in it.

The Congress later said that its vice-president's rally would be held near the Shahid Minar ground, which is under the Army's jurisdiction. Rahul Gandhi had addressed a rally in the same venue in March for the Congress didn't get permission to use the Park Circus Maidan then as well since examinations were underway.

Oneindia News