TMC files complaint against retd Joint Secy for trying to manipulate Central Forces

Kolkata: Trinamool Congress has lodged a complaint with the Election Commission against a retired officer of the Home ministry, for trying to manipulate the Central Forces in Malda South.

State Trinamool Congress president Subrata Bakshi alleged that R K Mitra, a retired joint secretary of the Home minister, is trying to influence the Central forces in Malda South, from where his wife Srirupa Mitra Chowdhury is contesting in the Lok Sabha poll.

Bakshi further alleged that during route march, Central force personnel were seen asking voters to cast their votes in favour of BJP, following instructions of Mitra.

Humayun Kabir, expelled Trinamool Congress MLA, will contest from the Murshidabad seat. Kabir, who was a close aide of Adhir Chowdhury, had joined Trinamool from Congress. Later, he was expelled from the party.

The BJP has fielded four candidates who have been either expelled or suspended from Trinamool and all are contesting the election. The expelled leaders are Saumitra Khan (Bishnupur), Anupam Hazra (Jadavpur) and Humayun Kabir (Murshidabad), while Arjun Singh, who is contesting from the Barrackpore Lok Sabha seat, has been suspended from the party.

Former journalist Rantidev Sengupta will contest from Howrah, while Joy Banerjee will contest from Uluberia. Subhas Sarkar, former vice-president of state BJP, will contest from Bankura.