Mamata accuses Modi of violating electoral code of conduct over his Matua community visit

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of violating the Election Commission of India's code of conduct by addressing people of the Matua community at Orakandi in Bangladesh and trying to influence voters in the assembly polls in the state and Assam.

"Elections are underway here and he [PM] goes to Bangladesh and lectures on Bengal. It is a total violation of code of conduct of the election," Mamata told an election rally in Kharagpur.

The first phase of polling in West Bengal and Assam was held today. In this phase, in West Bengal, more than 73 lakh voters will decide the fate of 191 candidates across 30 assembly segments -- nine in Purulia, four in Bankura, four in Jhargram, six in Paschim Medinipur, and seven in Purba Medinipur.

Mamata recalled that when Bangladeshi actor Ghazi Abdul Noor had attended a rally organised by her party Trinamool Congress during 2019 Lok Sabha elections, he was served a 'Leave India' notice for violation of the poll code of conduct.

"In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, when a Bangladeshi actor attended our rally, the BJP spoke to the Bangladesh government and cancelled his visa. When polls are underway here, you [PM] go to Bangladesh to seek votes from one section of people. Why shouldn't your visa be cancelled? We will complain to the EC," she said.

Mamata said, "Sometimes they (BJP) say Mamata has brought people from Bangladesh and aided in infiltration. But he (PM) himself goes to Bangladesh for vote marketing."

Her remarks came on the day when Modi, as part of his visit to Bangladesh, visited Orakandi village to pay tributes to the founder of the Matua community, Harichand Thakur.

Meeting members of the community, Modi said he felt the same emotions as felt by the Matua community in India.

Orakandi in Gopalganj district is the birthplace of Matua community's spiritual guru Harichand Thakur.

Many members of Matua community have settled in West Bengal and are a key segment of its electorate. They are seen as being able to sway the outcome of polling in at least 27 constituencies.