WB polls: What after central forces go home, Mamata's candidate threatens voters

Bhangar (West Bengal), March 7: Abdur Rezzaq Mollah, the former Left minister of West Bengal who has been given ticket by the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) from the same seat for the upcoming Assembly elections, threatened the voters in his very first election rally on Sunday.

Addressing the rally, Mollah said the voters would take help of the "military" (central forces) protection but what after the forces leave the state. Central forces started arriving in the state even before the election dates were announced and they have been conducting root march in several areas of the state, including the capital Kolkata.

The Opposition had appealed to the Election Commission (EC) to ensure extra monitoring during the polling so that the elections can be held fairly.

The EC, subsequently, announced a seven-phase election in the state between April 4 and May 5, with the results to be declared on May 19.

Mamata Banerjee also made a similar remark

But Mollah's remarks showed that the ruling party is in no mood to show much restraint. A few days ago, party supremo and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said in a TV interview that the security would be provided by her administration once the forces retreat. Mollah said: "They are saying military will be guarding everybody. Are there so many military officials in the country? And will you be able to sleep at home once they are gone?"

Why don't you also beat us, Mollah taunts Opposition

He also took a dig at the Opposition, ridiculing the CPI(M) and Congress over their charges of attack against the ruling party. "Why don't you also beat us? But I wonder whether you have people to do so? In that case, we can't provide you with people," he said.

It was the same Mollah who once accused the TMC of unleashing terror against its opponents. She had also called Banerjee "Hitler in Sari" and vowed to "bury her" in the 2016 elections.

Rift in TMC over Mollah's nomination

Meanwhile, the TMC was facing dissent in its own house over fielding Mollah, a former CPI(M) leader who was expelled from that party. The faction of Arabul Islam, a former local MLA, has hinted at fielding an Independent candidate to protest Mollah's candidature. Islam was once accused of beating up Mollah and is understandably upset with the latter getting the election ticket.

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