Bengal bypoll: BJP demands EC to take action against CM Mamata Banerjee

News Desk: BJP leaders, on Tuesday, demanded the EC to take actions against chief minister Mamata Banerjee for violating the model code of conduct (MCC).

A BJP delegation, including state vice-president Pratap Banerjee and Balurghat MP Sukanta Majumdar, met EC officials in the state for this. They said “We urge EC to take action against Banerjee, who is the TMC candidate for the Bhabanipur bypolls, for violating the model code of conduct by announcing cash rewards for the puja committees. She should be restrained from participating in the bypolls”

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced financial assistance for Durga puja committees

At a meeting with different Durga puja committees, on Tuesday, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee promised financial assistance to them.

She said “The state government has decided to provide Rs 50,000 as financial assistance to Durga puja committees across the state. 36,000 puja organisers in the rest of the state and 2,500 committees in Kolkata will be able to avail themselves of these benefits”

She also urged people to follow Covid-19 guidelines during the pujas and asked organisers to distribute masks and sanitizers among those who might have come to the pandal without one.

EC declared bypolls for three assembly seats

The Election Commission announced that bypolls will be conducted in three assembly seats – Bhawanipore, Jangipur and Samsergunj on September 30.

The counting of votes will be done on October 3.

As far as bypoll is concerned, TMC fielded chief minister Mamata Banerjee for Bhawanipore and leaders Jakir Hossain and Amirul Islam for Jangipur and Samserganj seats respectively.

The BJP is yet to decide their candidate for Bhawanipore. The Bengal Congress unit decided that the party won’t field any candidate against the chief minister in the Bhawanipore constituency. Since Congress has decided not to field a candidate, the CPI-M is likely to contest on behalf of the alliance and will soon make an announcement.