Communist Party throws its lot in with rival Mamata Banerjee, condemns EC's decision to transfer Kolkata top cop

The Communist Party of India on Saturday released a statement condemning the 'impartial behaviour' of the Central government investigation agencies, and particulary from the election commission. 

This statement came in the light of the recent transfer of officers made by the Election Commission ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. The EC on Friday night transferred Kolkata Police Commissioner Anuj Sharma and Bidhannagar Police Commissioner Gyanwant Singh, after which Dr Rajesh Kumar, ADG, Pollution Control Board, was made the new Kolkata top cop.

In the statement, the National Secretariate of the CPI alleged that the agencies and the election commission has been 'damaging democratic norms' and 'attacking federalism' for carrying out transfer of officers from some states like West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh and raids on officers of candidates and political parties offices by Income Tax Department.

The CPI also condemend the leakages of chargesheets in Agusta helicopter cases with false names of accused and gross misuse of power by police in case of lodging a FIR on Com. Kanhaiya without proper permission from the state government.

The party further appealed for an 'independent, neutral stand' from these agencies. 

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The statement by CPI comes in support of West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee, who also on Saturday wrote a strong worded letter to EC questioning the decision to transfer Kolkata Police Commissioner Anuj Sharma and Bidhannagar Police Commissioner Gyanwant Singh ahead of the Lok Sabha Election 2019. Reacting to the transfers, the TMC chief called out the election commission's “biased nature” and termed its decision “arbitrary”. 

Furthermore, On April 4, an FIR was lodged against CPI leader Kanhaiya Kumar for violating the Model Code of Conduct, alleging that he addressed a public meeting in a village without obtaining prior permission. Kanhaiya Kumar is all set to contest the Lok Sabha elections from Begusarai constituency.

Lok Sabha elections are set to kickstart from April 11 in the country in seven phases, the results of which will be declared on May 23. 

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