: Several weeks since the demand for deployment of Central forces for the West Bengal civic polls, State president of the BJP Rahul Sinha announced here on Monday that Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had given him an assurance that Central forces would be deployed.
He also blamed Mamata Banerjee for agreeing to this at the last moment.
The forces, however, will be brought in from within West Bengal, CRPF officials said.
Confirming the deployment of Central forces, Inspector General of Police of the West Bengal sector of the CRPF Vivek Sahay told The Hindu that three companies of forces would be provided. “Three companies of forces would be provided for the elections. We have asked the Superintendent of Police of Darjeeling district to release the forces,” Mr. Sahay said.
Addressing a public campaign in Kolkata, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said, “He (Rajnath Singh) has assured me that although time is less, Central forces would be provided,” Mr. Sinha told journalists.
Addressing a public campaign in Kolkata, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wondered how a political party (the BJP) could dictate whether or not Central forces should be called for.
“The State has to talk to the Centre as per the federal structure. But here, a political party is dictating to the Union Home Ministry whether it should send forces,” she said.
Calling it shameful for the State to ask for Central forces for all types of elections in West Bengal, Mr. Sinha said this was an indication of the dismal law and order situation in the State. A similar battle was fought during the panchayat polls in 2013 for the deployment and utilisation of forces and the matter was taken up in the Supreme Court.
He said he was planning to take legal action against Ms. Banerjee for misleading people.
“The Chief Minister has been misleading people with information regarding the price of her paintings. She ought to be booked under Section 420 [of the Indian Penal Code]. We will consult our lawyers regarding this,” Mr. Sinha said.
(With inputs from PTI)
