“Look at EC! It is your job to ensure EVMs are not captured. Why is there so much load-shedding? This is clearly an indication of malicious intent. I urge you not to fall into their trap,” the CM said while addressing back-to-back rallies in Bhowanipore, from where she is contesting.
She also led a march that criss-crossed Bhowanipore and greeted voters.
Banerjee said she was leading by 4,000 votes in Nandigram before power went off at the counting centre. The trend reversed after the supply resumed and she finally lost the East Midnapore seat to BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari by less than 2,000 votes. Banerjee challenged the result at Calcutta High Court and the matter is still sub judice.
Urging voters to be cautious, the CM said, “Everyone must cast their vote. They will try to tamper with EVMs. If a machine malfunctions, come back to vote again. Do not vote in a machine that has previously malfunctioned. Every EVM must be thoroughly checked. Central forces will try to capture EVMs; they are influenced by EC. Let them do whatever they want. Women should protect EVMs from the day of the polling until the counting. ends.”
Slamming EC for its alleged bias, the CM said, “Police officers have been selectively chosen (by EC). They (the officers) have close ties with BJP.”
Without naming anyone, she said EC has brought in an OC in south Kolkata who regularly posts in support of BJP. She alleged that the officers “brought in by BJP” are committing atrocities.
Banerjee accused the poll panel of turning a blind eye to influx of cash in Bhowanipore. “I have heard that they (BJP) will distribute cash in the slums… There are some people in your community as well who are ready to be bought. They might give you Rs 5,000 for your vote, but after that, you will be abused and insulted every day.”
Without naming Rahul Gandhi, the CM hit back at his “tacit understanding” barb: “Some people say I have a tacit understanding with BJP. I would like to remind them that they refused to join hands and submit a memorandum to EC when people were being harassed during the SIR. I fought for the people. I went to Delhi, EC and Supreme Court. Due to my efforts, the names of 32 lakh voters have been retained on the roll.” “All legitimate voters will be re-enrolled sooner or later. But I am sad that so many legitimate voters did not get justice,” she added.
Referring to Union home minister Amit Shah, the CM said, “The HM uses foul language. He is scared. He thinks he will win by spreading fear. Do remember we know how to fight back if you try to stoke fear.”
Banerjee said she had received a video that shows vote for one party is being registered in the name of another. “If they tell you to leave, don’t go. Stand your ground and say, ‘Wait, I will see if my vote is going to the right place’. Say, ‘I want to see the VVPAT’. There is time allotted for this. By defeating them, you must take revenge for democracy. Overturn BJP’s ballot box.”
