Don't speak against poll panel, Banerjee tells party workers

Calling out for restraint and discipline among the party rank and file, Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee on Friday asked party workers not to enter into any confrontation with the Election Commission and back candidates nominated by the party, leaving aside personal likings, in the coming assembly polls.

"Whoever is nominated as candidate by the party, you have to work heart and soul for his victory. If you don't like a particular candidate, and start lobbying, the party will not bow down before you," Banerjee told a Trinamool Congress meeting here.

The West Bengal chief minister asked party workers and leaders to exercise retraint in their dealing with the Election Commission, administration officials and opposition political parties.

"If you don't like any action taken by the Election Commission, don't criticise them. There are some statutory bodies which cannot be criticised. The party will take up the issue. But you should not say anything against the EC," she said.

Speaking in the same vein, she urged Trinamool workers not to go into direct confrontation with the administration officials and political opponents.

Coining a new slogan, she said: "Thanda matha cool cool, jitte hobe Trinamool, thanda matha cool cool, abar jitbe Trinamool (Cool head, cool cool, the winner has to be Trinamool. Cool head, cool cool, the winner is again Trinamool)."

Refering to party's veteran MP Sougato Roy, who has on several occasions spoken out candidly on issues like campus violence, electoral irregularities or indiscipline in the party, Banerjee said one should not try to impose one's opinion on the party.

"With folded hands I request you all not to do anything which harms the party. When you fight elections, the party works tirelessly, we all work tirelessly.

"We shouldn't do anything for which the others can point fingers at us. We will be there, if the party exists. If the party is not there, we will be nowhere," she said.

The state assembly polls are likely to be held in April-May.