Police officer-turned-politician Prasun Banerjee, nominated by the Trinamool Congress (TMC) for the Malda North Lok Sabha constituency, sparked controversy during a campaign speech in West Bengal’s Malda by assuring people that he would stand by them if paramilitary forces attempted intimidation.
During his campaign on Sunday, Banerjee urged all security personnel, including the BSF and paramilitary forces, to operate within the confines of the law. He emphasized the need for free and fair elections and pledged to intervene if any intimidation tactics were employed against voters.
Banerjee’s statements, captured in a video shared by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) IT cell head Amit Malviya, included assurances of addressing any disturbances during the polling process. He encouraged voters to treat Election Commission officials with respect and offered to handle any issues that might arise during the electoral process.
The TMC candidate stressed the importance of respecting central armed forces stationed at polling booths as long as they respected democratic rights and refrained from infringing upon them. He advised against confrontations with authorities and suggested dealing with any issues through peaceful means.
Banerjee warned of taking to the streets in protest if any untoward incidents occurred during the polling in his constituency. He expressed readiness to lead a democratic protest if necessary, signaling his determination to ensure fair and peaceful elections.
Meanwhile, BJP’s Amit Malviya interpreted Banerjee’s remarks as a warning to central forces and the Election Commission, highlighting the contentious nature of the statements made by the TMC leader.
The TMC has finalized candidates for all constituencies in West Bengal for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, scheduled across seven phases as per the Election Commission’s announcement. The Malda North constituency is set to vote on May 4.
