TMC writes to West Bengal Governor; accuses BJP of "blatantly conspiring" with central agencies

Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], April 9 (ANI): Trinamool Congress has written a letter to West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose highlighting a "grave state of affairs" ahead of the Lok Sabha elections while accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party of "blatantly conspiring" with the central agencies against the Opposition.
The ruling party in West Bengal has further alleged that the Election Commission of India is "acting like a silent referee". The letter, written by TMC General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee has highlighted five issues.
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"We wish to bring to your attention a grave state of affairs, wherein, the very idea of a 'free and fair democracy' has been severely compromised by the ruling dispensation at the Centre. BJP has mobilized various Central departments/agencies like the NIA. ED, CBI and IT to launch an onslaught against all opposition political parties. including AITC," the letter stated.
"These Central departments/agencies are illegally executing the diktats of BJP to trample the members of AITC in a bid to keep them away from performing their political functions during the ensuing General Elections to the House of the People, 2024. At the same time, the ECI which is supposed to protect and uphold the democratic rights of the people, is acting like a silent referee which is only looking the other way," it added.
TMC further alleged that 'backroom talks' were held between BJP leader Jitendra Tiwari and NIA Superintendent of Police, Dhan Ram Singh to "illegally" target the TMC members. The party levelled the allegations citing the visitor's register of Singh's building complex. It also alleged some monetary considerations were paid to Singh.
The party also stated that it has written multiple letters to the Election Commission of India (ECI) against the "illegal actions" by the central agencies who are "wreaking havoc" in the state, however, all the requests have "fallen on deaf ears" and the ECI has not taken any action.
The letter further stated that the 10-member TMC delegation wanted to meet Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar. The party was holding a "peaceful protest" in the national capital, but the leaders were detained by the Delhi Police. TMC also alleged that its leader Dola Sen sustained injury in her leg and Rajya Sabha MP Sagarika Ghose was allegedly dragged by her hair.
The party further highlighted the need to release emergency funds by the state government amid the damage caused by a cyclone and tornado that hit parts of the state last month. TMC stated that funds need to be released to help the assisted people, but there is an embargo on the release of new funds due to the Model Code of Conduct in place. It has requested the Election Commission to allow releasing the funds due to an 'emergency' situation. (ANI)