The unfortunate incident!

In an unfortunate incident yesterday at Nandigram, the West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, campaigning, fell and injured her leg. She claimed a conspiracy, four-five men pushing her intentionally. There can be no doubt that she was hurt, and her agony was not playacting. The other eye-witnesses accounts are the open door of her vehicle hitting a post, the door, in turn, hitting her and injuring her leg.

However, rather than giving first-aid or rushing to the nearest health-centre, Mamata and her team decided to exploit the situation to their fullest advantage.

She was there inside the car for long enough for all cameras to shoot to their fullest satisfaction before proceeding to SSKM hospital. It was a pathetic scene to see Mamata confined to the bed with a big plaster around her legs. I am glad that she is out of danger. Her supporters organized an impromptu protest at the hospital, and a shoe thrown at the visiting Governor missed him.

My emotions end here, and questions arise now about the status of her Z-plus security provided to the CM, which is the highest level other than the PM’s, who gets an SPG cover. About 300 security men are deployed around Mamata. It is not easy for anyone to breach the cordon, maltreat or shove her as claimed unless the entire crowd around her were from an opponent camp. Mamata is a popular leader, and cheering supporters gather wherever she is present. The security men, I guess, must have taken extra precaution in tightening around her.

The EC has demanded a note from the District Superintendent of Police over the incident. TMC leaders are meeting the election commission to file a complaint, probably on a conspiracy and deliberate attack. The BJP delegation, too, meets the EC to complain about the accusations by TMC.

What is to be remembered is that the media was swarming at Nandigram and around Mamata. One or other camera must have constantly focussed on her and could reveal the truth, whether she was at all pushed. Mamata’s panic over attempts of an attack is not new, perhaps emanating from her horrid experiences as a youth leader in the seventies, when she was always a target by the Left.

In a game of nerves, a BJP delegation braved an attempt to meet the TMC supremo at the hospital but was denied an entry. If the intentions were noble and beyond petty politics, permitting the opposition leaders would have added merit to the democratic values.

I am curious if the policemen responsible for protecting the CM have been suspended, a departmental or a judicial enquiry initiated. Truth must come out in the interest of all concerned.

Right now, I pray for her speedy recovery and back in action as ever before!

Sampath Kumar
Intrépide Voix

Pic courtesy:livemint