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Mamata Banerjee Blames Army For ‘Not Informing’, Compares Situation In Bengal To ‘Military Coup’
Swarajya Staff
Dec 02, 2016, 12:06 PM | Updated 12:06 PM IST
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Objecting to the presence of Army jawans at toll booths, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee camped overnight at her office in the secretariat in Kolkata.
"Is this a military coup?" the Chief Minister asked, alleging that the state government had not been informed. Trinamool Congress will raise the issue in Parliament today.
Until and unless the Army stationed in front of Nabanno, the Bengal state govt secretariat, is withdrawn 1/2
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) December 1, 2016
Indian army rejected her allegations, saying that the a routine exercise was underway in all northeastern states.
Routine exercise in all NE states. In Assam @ 18 places, Arunanchal@13, WB@19, Manipur@6, Nagaland@5, Meghalaya@5, Tripura & Mizoram@1@adgpi
— EasternCommand_IA (@easterncomd) December 1, 2016
Defence Minister Mahohar Parrikar informed in Lok Sabha that the concerned officials in the state of West Bengal were informed by the Army about the routine exercise.
Saddening that a routine exercise has been made a controversy now: Manohar Parrikar, Defence Minister in Lok Sabha
— ANI (@ANI_news) December 2, 2016
However, Bengal Chief Secretary, Home Secretary and Kolkata police commissioner maintained that no contact was made by the Army. Kolkata police added that they had, in fact, refuted the army exercise citing “security” reasons and “traffic”. Banerjee has refused to budge and continues to blame the Army.
Absolutely wrong and misleading facts by @easterncomd We have great respect for you, but please please don't mislead the people
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) December 1, 2016
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