Suti/Sagardighi

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday condemned the gherao of judicial officers in Malda, while accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Election Commission of India of being complicit in a larger conspiracy to create unrest in the state ahead of the Assembly elections.

Addressing rallies in Murshidabad district, Banerjee alleged that Union Home Minister Amit Shah was orchestrating a plan to destabilise West Bengal and ultimately impose President’s Rule.

While strongly criticising the incident, she urged people to remain calm and not fall into what she described as a “trap” set to incite violence. She maintained that protests are a democratic right but insisted that judicial officers must not be targeted under any circumstances.

Banerjee also supported the observations made by the Supreme Court of India, which took serious note of the incident and ordered an independent investigation.

At the same time, she criticised the Election Commission, claiming it had failed in its responsibility to ensure the safety of officials, especially after taking control of administrative functions following the announcement of elections. She said her government had limited authority during this period, as key officials had been replaced by the poll panel.

The chief minister alleged that the Malda incident was being used to tarnish the image of the state and suggested that the unrest was politically motivated. She claimed that those involved in the violence were not affiliated with her party and hinted at the involvement of opposition forces.

Accusing the BJP of attempting to polarise voters, Banerjee said the party was relying on tension and division rather than electoral support. She urged citizens to respond through democratic means and reject any attempts to create communal discord.

She further alleged that the situation was part of a broader strategy to disrupt the electoral process and justify the imposition of central rule in the state.

Raising concerns over the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, Banerjee claimed that voter names were being removed across the state, particularly affecting minorities and economically weaker sections.

READ MORE: Why Backstroke Queen of India Fariha Zaman fled Assam

The controversy surrounding the SIR exercise and the Malda incident has intensified political tensions in West Bengal ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections.