Didi paints during silent dharna

Kolkata: Mamata Banerjee sat on a silent dharna in Kolkata on Tuesday to protest against the Election Commission’s decision to ban her from ...

Kolkata: Mamata Banerjee sat on a silent dharna in Kolkata on Tuesday to protest against the Election Commission’s decision to ban her from campaigning for 24 hours. The West Bengal Chief Minister sat on the silent dharna at around 11.40 am and ended the dharna at 3 pm.

The TMC Supremo began her sit-in next to the Mahatma Gandhi statue near Mayo Road. Keeping herself confined to a wheelchair, Mamata was seen painting with a brush and water colours which she showed to the mediapersons and workers assembled at a distance of around 100 metres. 

The EC had imposed a 24-hour ban on her campaigns from 8 pm on Monday April 12, which will continue till 8 pm on Tuesday April 13 for her “highly insinuating” and “provocative remarks” which the poll body said had “serious potential” to lead to a law and order breakdown in the state.

“It is very sad if the Election Commission works under the direction of a political party, the polling system should be stopped,” said senior TMC leader Subrata Mukherjee said.

Only her security personnel were present at the spot where Mamata was sitting for the dharna. Party workers and supporters assembled beyond the barricade and showed solidarity with the leader. “No party leaders are allowed near the site of the protest. She is sitting there alone,” a senior TMC leader said.

Mamata is scheduled to address two rallies in Barasat and Bidhanangar at around 9 pm on Tuesday. Campaigning for the fifth phase of the elections in West Bengal on April 17 has already been curtailed by a day.

 On April 10, following the Sitalkuchi violence in Cooch Behar where four persons were killed in firing by CISF personnel, the EC had extended the ‘silent period’ from 48 hours to 72 hours for the fifth round.

Meanwhile, BJP leader Rahul Sinha has been banned from campaigning for next the 48 hours for making derogatory statements over the Sitalkuchi incident.  Sinha had said that not four but eight people should have been shot dead by the central forces there.

BJP State President Dilip Ghosh too has got an EC notice asking for an explanation for his controversial “there will be Sitalkuchi in several places” comment till 10 am tomorrow.

BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari too has received an EC notice for his “mini Pakistan” remarks in one of his speeches.