Nandigram incident: EC responds to TMC’s letter, calls it 'full of insinuations and averments'

The Election Commission of India on Thursday slammed the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and said its letter to it is "full of insinuations and averments" and that it "undermines the very foundations of the Constitution".

Terming the tone of the letter as "unfortunate", the Election Commission said, "It is completely incorrect to suggest that the Commission has taken over the law and order machinery in the state in the name of conducting elections and appropriated the whole governance structure, etc."

The Election Commission was responding to a memorandum sent to it by a delegation of the Trinamool Congress in regards to the incident that took place in Nandigram on Wednesday wherein West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee suffered injuries.

During her election campaign in Nandigram, Mamata Banerjee suffered injury on her foot and had to be taken to Kolkata by road. Doctors later said she has suffered a fracture.

Speaking to reports in Nandigram after



the incident, Mamata Banerjee had alleged that she was "attacked" and "pushed" by four-five men and that there was a "conspiracy against her". She also claimed that the local police did not provide her any security.

In its letter, the Election Commission said the Nandigram incident involving Mamata Banerjee is "indeed an unfortunate incident and needs to be inquired into with promptitude and dispatch".

"Having said that, it is rather unfortunate that the memorandum in question (sent by TMC) is full of insinuations and averments, which in fact questions the very basis of creation and function if the Election Commission," the Commission said.

It added, "This virtually tantamounts to undermine the very foundation and fabric of the Constitution of India, the most sacrosanct document in any democratic polity."

Soon after the incident on Wednesday, the Election Commission had directed the state police to submit a detailed report on the matter by Friday.