Mamata Banerjee Condemns Midnight Raids and Arrests as Political Intimidation
In a fiery address at a rally in Pingla, West Midnapore, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee declared on Tuesday that midnight raids and arrests by central agencies will not deter or halt the Trinamool Congress. Her strong words came just hours after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested I-PAC co-founder Vinesh Chandel in New Delhi late on Monday.
"If one is arrested, another will take his place. We will continue to fight. It is not so easy to control West Bengal," Banerjee asserted, challenging the authorities. "They are threatening to put people behind bars. I want to see how powerful they are." She coined a slogan in Bengali, translating to "Big brother has come from Delhi along with ED and CBI," highlighting her perception of federal overreach.
Escalating Tensions Ahead of Elections
Following the announcement of polls in Bengal on March 16, the ED has summoned Trinamool candidates Debashis Kumar and ministers Sujit Bose and Rathin Ghosh. Additionally, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) summoned 43 Trinamool workers in Nandigram in connection with a 2024 case. Banerjee accused these agencies of conducting searches and raids "at midnight," with orders to arrest party workers.
"But this will not be an easy task," she warned, adding that "if you arrest one, lakhs will come out." With elections only eight days away, she alleged that instructions have been given to arrest booth agents to disrupt polling station operations.
Trinamool Leaders Decry "Electoral Sabotage"
In a hard-hitting post on X after Chandel's arrest, Trinamool national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee wrote that the timing is alarming and undermines democratic principles. "It shakes the very idea of a level-playing field," he stated, calling it intimidation rather than democracy. He criticized double standards, noting that those with corruption allegations find protection when switching sides, while others are targeted politically.
Abhishek emphasized, "This is bigger than one arrest. It is about whether our institutions remain independent and whether every citizen, no matter their political belief, can participate without fear."
Trinamool Rajya Sabha MP Derek O'Brien labeled the ED action as "electoral sabotage," with less than nine days before the first phase of polls. He quipped that ED has renamed itself as 'Extremely Desperate' but predicted BJP's loss in the assembly polls despite such tactics.
Mamata Urges Resistance and Questions Central Forces
Addressing rallies in Tamluk and Domjur, Mamata Banerjee urged women to "stand firm" against security forces if they attempt to prevent voting, while clarifying she does not advocate violence. She questioned the deployment of a large number of central forces in Bengal, suggesting bias by replacing officers with those close to BJP.
"If your sole aim was to keep peace, you could have used West Bengal Police," she remarked, noting the absence of central forces during natural calamities or riots. She advised people to lodge complaints against any police officer if tortured and encouraged women to keep brooms as symbols of resistance against armed forces.
The escalating confrontations highlight the intense political climate in West Bengal as elections approach, with Trinamool positioning itself as a bulwark against perceived federal intimidation.
