Mamata granting funds to puja committees to woo them: Bengal BJP to EC

BJP urged the EC to take appropriate steps against Mamata Banerjee and restrain her from participating in the Bhabanipur by-election.

On Tuesday, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) unit in Bengal wrote to the Election Commission citing violation of the Model Code of Conduct after the West Bengal government announced the continuation of Durga puja grant to organisers this year as well.The letter reads, "Very clearly this has been done with the only objective to influence these clubs who play an important role in the electoral process and give an undue advantage to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee."The BJP further called upon the EC to take appropriate steps against the All India Trinamool Congress candidate, including restraining her from participating in the ensuing Bhabanipur bypoll.ALSO READ: Faith may be personal but festivals are universal: Mamata Banerjee on Durga puja celebrations Cash donations and other facilities were announced for 36,000 Durga puja committees.The announcement was made by West Bengal Chief Secretary Hari Krishna Dwivedi and Banerjee stated that all facilities available last year shall be extended to puja committees for this year.Speaking at a meeting with different Durga puja committees, Banerjee appealed to the state's people to follow Covid-19 protocols during the upcoming celebrations.Durga puja is scheduled to be held between October 11 and October 15. With the threat of a third wave of Covid-19 infections looming large, Durga puja committees are wary of going ahead with their plans.ALSO WATCH: Political war erupts over Durga idol resembling Didi