KOLKATA: The Indian Army on Tuesday strongly objected to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s recent statement alleging that a senior Army officer posted at Fort William in Kolkata was working for the BJP.
Officials from the Army’s Eastern Command met West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose at Lok Bhavan and conveyed their objection to the Chief Minister’s claim that a senior officer at the Fort William Command headquarters was acting on behalf of the saffron party. The issue was raised barely six days ahead of Republic Day on January 26, a development that has added to the sensitivity of the matter.
According to sources at Lok Bhavan, two senior Army generals from the Eastern Command met the Governor, who took serious note of the issue and raised it with the Union Defence Ministry. The Army’s move came after Mamata’s remarks sparked sharp political reactions in the state.
The controversy arose amid tensions over the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal. While the BJP reacted strongly to the Chief Minister’s remarks, Left parties also demanded that the truth behind the allegations be established.
Sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, said a letter protesting the remarks was submitted to the Governor during the meeting. Though details of the communication were not made public, Bose is understood to have informed appropriate authorities at the Centre.
Without naming the officer or providing further details, Mamata had made the allegation on January 13 while addressing a press conference at the state secretariat, Nabanna. She had said, “I have information that a commandant at For William is working on the SIR to extend support to the BJP. He is sitting there and doing the work of the BJP party office. I would request them with folded hands to desist from such activities.”