Taking cognizance of Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee's outburst against the Election Commission for slapping a showcause notice against her, the poll panel has decided to examine her comments made in public meetings across the state.
"She has given her reaction in different public meetings ever since she was showcaused. We are sending the CDs of those meetings to the Election Commission," Additional Chief Electoral Officer Dibyendu Sarkar said.
The Election Commission had yesterday showcaused Banerjee for violating the model code of conduct.
Immediately after hearing the news, an unperturbed chief minister had dared the commission to take steps against her and said that people of the state would showcause them on May 19, the day of the election result.
Meanwhile, the EC is exploring what legal options can be taken against Trinamool leader Anubrata Mandal who has been censured once and showcaused multiple times for violation of model code of conduct.
"Legal options are being explored. Once a decision is taken, instructions will be issued to the district officials for implementation," Sarkar said.
The Chief Election Commissioner had yesterday said they were taking urgent legal action against Mandal following complaints from different political parties.
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Later reacting to the showcause notice served on her by the EC, Banerjee told a local TV channel that she would give its reply to the poll panel 'in a befitting manner'.
"What is being done against us is nothing but an exaggeration. I shall give its reply in a befitting manner," the TMC supremo said.
She described opposition CPI(M), Congress and BJP as a "complaint syndicate", saying the three parties are singing the same tune while complaining against TMC before the EC.
"What else it could be when the CPI(M), Congress and BJP sing in the same tune," Banerjee said.
"Every now and then the three major opposition parties are lodging complaints with the poll panel against us and the poll panel is acting on the basis of their complaints," she said alleging that politics is behind this.
On the allegations against TMC by opposition parties, the TMC supremo said, "Where was the democracy during the tenure of erstwhile Left Front Government? The perpetrators of terror are now raising allegations of terror against us. Simply ridiculous.
