'Modi using govt machinery to intimidate opposition'

Jalpaiguri/Falakata: Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee on Sunday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of using government machinery and institutions to intimidate the opposition, questioning the removal of Andhra Pradesh chief secretary by the Election Commission. She wondered why PM Modi is not removing his cabinet secretary or the Union home secretary if he was so "fond of making last-minute changes".

"Why is the Centre intervening in state matters? Why was Andhra Pradesh chief secretary removed?" Banerjee, who has accused the Election Commission (EC) of working at the behest of the BJP, asked, addressing an election rally.

"Why don't you (Modi) remove your cabinet secretary?" the CM said, claiming that she has worked with several prime ministers, but has never seen anyone as "vindictive" like Modi.

The EC on Friday removed Andhra Pradesh Chief Secretary Anil Chandra Punetha from the post and appointed senior-most IAS officer L V Subrahmanyam in his place.

"You have raided the family of Kamal Nath, Karnataka chief minister has been raided, Andhra Pradesh chief minister has also been raided," she said.

Banerjee accused the BJP-led Central government of using the income tax department and the CBI for raids and getting the institutions to do their bidding.