BJP moves EC against Mamata's 'improper use of government machinery'

The BJP on Saturday moved the Election Commission here demanding appropriate action against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for "improper use of government machinery" following the state chief secretary's response on her behalf to the poll panel's show-cause notice.

"Appropriate steps should be taken against Banerjee for improper use of government machinery during her electioneering, i.e. asking the chief secretary to reply on behalf of her in regards to the EC's show-cause notice," state Bharatiya Janata Party vice president Jay Prakash Majumdar told the media here.

The party also demanded the chief secretary be "show-caused for breaching the model code of conduct (MCC) by replying on Banerjee's behalf" and urged the poll panel to not take a "lenient position" on the "gross violation of MCC time and again by Banerjee, including advocating violence in the poll process".

The Trinamool Congress supremo was show-caused by the poll panel on Thursday for violating the model code of conduct.

However, an unfazed Banerjee, lashed out the Commission saying "people will show-cause the commission" on May 19 when results of the assembly polls are declared.

The Commission is examining speeches made by Banerjee in response to the show-cause notice.