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Police officer-turned-politician Prasun Banerjee, who has been fielded by Trinamool Congress (TMC) from Malda North Lok Sabha constituency, triggered a controversy during his campaign speech in West Bengal's Malda as he assured people that he would be there if the paramilitary forces tried to intimidate them.
"I am telling all the BSF, paramilitary to stay within the law. We will also stay within the law. Let the elections be free and fair. If the paramilitary tries to intimidate you, tell them that I am Prasun Banerjee. Main hoon na," Banerjee said while campaigning on Sunday, a video of which was shared by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) IT cell head Amit Malviya on his 'X' handle. Asking the voters to treat everyone with respect, Banerjee boasted that in case of any disturbance, he would be there to take care of everything. "Just see, even the Election Commission will be seated here in this school. Give them water. Don't neglect them. They are salaried individuals. Treat them with care. Just say, Prasun Bandyopadhyay has come to play. There is no use of boots, AK 47, or SLR. Just say I am calling Prasun Bandyopadhyay. He is entering in half an hour. He will take care of everything, the law, the observer, everything," the TMC candidate said. Banerjee added that people should treat the central armed forces manning the booths with respect till the time they do not infringe on the voter's democratic rights. "Respect everyone. Don't talk back to the authorities. Respect the force until they respect you and do not infringe on your democratic rights," the former policeman said. Banerjee warned that he would be hitting the streets in protest if anything untoward happened during polling in his constituency. "If not, there will be a democratic protest. Leave the protest to me. I will hit the streets, stop everything. India will see how elections are conducted...I have hit the field. The game is on," he said. Meanwhile, the BJP's IT Cell head Amit Malviya claimed that the TMC leader issued a warning to the central forces and the Election Commission. "Prasun Bandyopadhyay, the 'colourful' TMC candidate from Uttar Malda and former police officer, warns central forces and election commission," Malviya said in a post on 'X'. "Prasun, who quit IPS and joined TMC the next day, to contest LS, is now intimidating the ECI. One can only imagine what he did as a police officer! He exemplifies all that is wrong with WB Police," he added. The TMC has declared candidates in all the constituencies in West Bengal for the Lok Sabha polls. West Bengal will poll for the Lower House of Parliament across all seven phases, the Election Commission announced earlier. Malda North will be voting on May 4. (ANI)
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