Harassment of judicial officers in Malda a BJP-ECI conspiracy: Mamata Banerjee

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday alleged that the harassment of judicial adjudication officers in Kaliachak, Malda, was the result of a “joint conspiracy” by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Election Commission of India (ECI), aimed at creating conditions for the imposition of President’s Rule in the state.

Addressing an election rally in Sagardighi in neighbouring Murshidabad district, Banerjee said it was the ECI’s responsibility to ensure the safety of officials deployed on election duty. She noted that with the Model Code of Conduct in force, the state government has limited control over administrative machinery.

“It was the ECI’s duty to protect the judicial officers… I request people not to fall into provocation,” she said, acknowledging that grievances over deletion of names during the electoral roll revision process were genuine, but urging restraint.

The chief minister alleged that the Malda incident was orchestrated to disrupt the election process and tarnish the image of the state. “Their only aim is to create unrest and impose President’s Rule in West Bengal,” she said.

Without naming them directly, Banerjee also hinted at the possible involvement of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) and the Aam Aadmi Unnayan Party (AAUP), led by former Trinamool Congress leader Humayun Kabir. She accused “outsiders” and “traitors” of instigating crowds to block roads and gherao judicial officers.

“On one hand, someone flew in from Hyderabad. On the other, a traitor funded by the BJP incited people. What was the result?” she asked, in an apparent reference to AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi and Kabir.

AIMIM and AAUP are contesting together in several minority-dominated constituencies in the ongoing assembly elections.

Banerjee urged people to maintain peace and not take the law into their own hands, warning that such incidents could damage the state’s reputation and aid political opponents.

She also criticised the newly appointed chief secretary — brought in by the ECI — for allegedly failing to manage the situation effectively.

The remarks come amid heightened political tensions in the run-up to the assembly elections, with the Malda incident emerging as a flashpoint in the ongoing battle between the ruling Trinamool Congress and Opposition parties.

With IANS inputs