BJP slams Mamata for politicising army's mock drill

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has hit back at West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for politicising the mock drill conducted by the Indian Army and alleged that she is least bothered about her state and of late has been campaigning across the country against the Centre's demonetisation move.

"It's so ridiculous that the CM does not know about the mock drill of the army, which takes place every three to four years.. It is quite strange that the CM is not aware about it even as the DM and state administration has proper knowledge about the same," BJP leader Rahul Sinha told ANI.

Mamata has said that she is waiting at the Bengal State Secretariat "to guard democracy" as the army is still stationed at the spot even hours after she expressed her apprehensions on the same.

Mamata described the event as extremely unfortunate.

"Very unfortunate. Army stationed in front of Nabanno, the Bengal State Secretariat in a high security zone, in-spite of police objection ," she tweeted

"I am waiting here at the Secretariat and watching, to guard our democracy," she added.

Earlier, Mamata alleged that the army was deployed at the behest of the Centre at two toll plazas, Palsit and Dankuni, on NH 2 without informing the state government.

Mamata said this move clearly violates the nation's federal structure.

"The state was not informed about this development. In a federal structure, the functions of Centre and state are clearly divided. But this act clearly violates our jurisdiction," she said.

According to reports, at least six vehicles of military police were spotted at the toll plaza Vidyasagar Setu, a bridge that connects Kolkata to Howrah.

However, it was later reported to be a mere routine exercise.

Reacting to this, the chief minister stated that the permission of the government is needed even if the army was to conduct a mock trial in the state.

"Even if the army conducted mock trial, the permission of the state should have been sought," she said.

Mamata said that she would not take this incident lightly as she would approach President Pranab Mukherjee and apprise him of the matter.