Trinamool MPs file complaint against Bengal BJP chief’s comments on police

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) filed a complaint with the Election Commission against West Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumdar’s alleged comments on the police.
The complaint was filed by senior TMC leaders and MPs, Derek O’Brien, Sudip Bandyopadhyay, Kirti Azad, Sakte Gokhale and Sushmita Dev. It stated that Majumdar delivered a “false, derogatory and defamatory speech” during an election rally in West Bengal’s Taldangra on November 7.
“Sukanta Majumdar has also insulted the State Emblem of India and the State Police by stating that police personnel should replace the Emblem on their uniforms with icons resembling footwear.” the TMC said in the complaint.
The party said that the statements allegedly defamed the State Police as well the national emblem, “by suggesting its removal in a derogatory context”.
It said that the remarks were “devoid of any factual basis” and were aimed at “undermining the credibility of the State Police”.
“This constitutes a deliberate attempt to mislead the public, malign a neutral law enforcement agency, and create an atmosphere of distrust and hostility,” the TMC said.
The party claimed that it was a “politically motivated propaganda” by the BJP and violated the spirit of free and fair elections.
The party urged the poll panel to issue directions to BJP leaders to desist from “making unverified, defamatory and inflammatory statements” against the West Bengal Police and the TMC.
It also said that the Election Commission should penalise Sukanta Majumdar for trying to malign the credibility of the Police and to cause “a grave insult to the sanctity” of the national emblem.
“Direct Sukanta Majumdar to issue an unconditional apology for insulting the State Emblem of India in furtherance of his oblique political agendas,” the party appealed to the poll panel.