Kolkata: After attending election rallies in Bankura and Purulia, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced her volte face in Durgapur at around 8.30 pm.
“I accept the order of the EC,” she said in a subdued voice. However, she staunchly defended her officers’ competence and integrity, and said, “The state has witnessed development and peace under their jurisdiction. They are experienced and will reoccupy their original posts after the completion of the election process.”
It was evident that she had been forced to eat humble pie and accept the EC’s diktat, and that she was extremely angry about it. She even accused the EC of a “political vendetta”.
Without naming deputy election commissioner Vinod Zutshi, who is in charge of the election in West Bengal, Ms Banerjee demanded his immediate removal on the ground that he was allegedly involved in a land scam.
“I do not disrespect the EC, but the constitutional body is playing political games. It is working on behalf of the Congress, CPM and BJP,” she added.
