Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee warned her party leaders and workers that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has tampered with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in the past and can do so again in future. Cracking a whip against indiscipline, the chief minister also stated that those who undermine the party may leave.
"If any of our party leaders think that he is bigger than the party, he may leave, the door is open. I have been getting reports that a section of leaders is busy in infighting and corruption. Some are paying no heed to party orders. I will not tolerate this," said Banerjee.
Addressing the party's extended core committee meeting at the Netaji Indoor stadium in Kolkata, Banerjee told MLAs, MPs, civic body chiefs, winning candidates of gram panchayat, panchayat samiti and zilla parishad, to be prepared for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. In her speech, she said, "Beware. The BJP has tampered with EVMs in the past and can do so again in the future…..In recent polls in Mahestolla, 30 machines (EVMs) mysteriously broke down. In future polls (Lok Sabha) they will use such tactics to win." The Trinamool Congress chief said Lok Sabha elections are likely to be held any time between three to eight months.
Earlier, opposition parties like Congress, NCP and CPI(M) among others had alleged tampering of the machines, especially after Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh last year. Soon after, the Election Commission of India (ECI) challenged national and state parties to hack the EVM in front of the commission's officials. However, not a single representative from any political party turned up to take the challenge.
Mamata Banerjee also sought a detailed report from areas in the state where BJP did well in the recent panchayat polls. She highlighted that indiscipline and corruption will not be tolerated.
In her message to student leaders and MLAs, the chief minister said, "Your job is to help students, not to indulge in money making from them. Work for the benefit of the common students. I ask our MLAs not to discriminate when it comes to development and welfare schemes. Everyone should be benefitted, however close or not so close the person is with the party," she said.