After black money, CPI-M accuses Mamata of threats

The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) on Monday wrote to the Election Commission (EC) accusing Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Mamata Banerjee of threatening voters while campaigning for the polls.

West Bengal is undergoing a six-phase election for its 294-seat Assembly where Congress-TMC alliance is trying to upset the 34-year-old Left Front rule-led by the CPI-M. Canvassing for Wednesday’s third phase voting ended on Monday evening.

The letter to the EC comes in a series of complaints that the reds have flung at the TMC, which include allegiance with Maoist rebels and using illicit funds to support poll campaigns.

Quoting two lines supposedly said by Union Railways Minister Mamata Banerjee at a poll rally, the CPI-M alleged that the TMC chief was trying to intimidate voters, in clear violation of the EC’s model code of conduct, and asking for immediate measures.

Earlier a CPI-M leader too had triggered a controversy by calling Banerjee a prostitute for purportedly using illicit funds for her helicopter canvassing spree.

Meanwhile, taking note of the CPI-M’s public allegations of the TMC using black money to to fund poll campaigns, the EC has called in communist leader Gautam Deb to produce evidence of the accusations.