Mamata for debate on state funding of elections

In her maiden address to the state Assembly post her spectacular return to power, the Chief Minister said state funding of elections would curb use of black money in polls.

“So much is being said about use of black money in elections. We would like to have a debate on state funding of elections, electoral reforms and financial reforms. If there is state funding of elections the use of black money will stop,” Banerjee said.

In an indirect dig, she said that the “festival of democracy” gets fulfilled when everybody can participate in it. “It can’t be achieved by imposing curfew.” Banerjee urged all to brush aside poll season bitterness and work unitedly towards development of the state.

“Come, let us all work together for the development of the state. Let us all create an example by working together. I congratulate those who have won. Especially those who have won for the first time,” she said.

She also hit out at the Election Commission of India for its excesses. While addressing legislators, she said “Election is a festival not curfew.” However, she did not take the name of ECI. She first thanked those who had voted for ma, mati and manush and then congratulated all voters who had exercised their franchise despite “excesses.”

“People should go to the polling station in the morning along with their friends, neighbours and relatives and cast their votes to select their favoured candidate. It is like a festival,” she said. 

Banerjee insisted that electoral reforms were required. She maintained that Trinamool had once organised a movement” No EPIC card no vote,” thereby making voters’ ID card mandatory to cast votes.

Mamata Banerjee has been successful in removing fear from the minds of voters particularly in Jangalmahal. In the first phase of election on April 4 and 11, more than 90 per cent voters had cast their votes in Jangalmahal. 

Long queues of voters were found in front of the polling stations. There was not a single incident of booth jamming or false voting. This had prompted the Opposition to believe that people had cast their votes in favour of the alliance. But they were proved wrong and even the CPI(M) state secretary Surya Kanta Mishra lost.