West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee declared at an election rally in Sagar, South 24 Parganas district, that her government intends to challenge the Calcutta High Court's ruling, which invalidated all OBC (Other Backward Classes) certificates issued in the state since 2010. She asserted that the state government would lodge an appeal with a higher court following the summer recess.
Expressing disagreement with the court's decision to annul OBC certificates, Banerjee emphasized the intention to pursue legal recourse. The ruling, which nullified OBC status for numerous classes in the state since 2010, has stirred political discourse amidst the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. Banerjee criticized certain judicial opinions, alleging alignment with the agendas of the BJP and the CPI(M).
Banerjee urged voters to lend support solely to the TMC (Trinamool Congress) to enable the formation of a government by the INDIA bloc at the national level. She accused the BJP of harboring intentions to enforce the Uniform Civil Code, posing a threat to the rights of SC (Scheduled Caste) and ST (Scheduled Tribe) communities.
The Chief Minister cautioned Haj pilgrim families to exercise their voting rights judiciously, cautioning against potential ramifications of the Uniform Civil Code and the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). She accused the BJP of various transgressions, including attempts to undermine women's dignity and revoke the rights of backward classes.
Banerjee alleged that the BJP disseminates misleading advertisements and neglects key state initiatives such as the 'Gangasagar Mela' and infrastructure projects like the Muriganga River Bridge.
Despite adverse weather conditions, Banerjee urged citizens to cast their votes diligently, stressing the importance of thwarting the BJP's electoral advances. Her remarks coincided with forecasts of a severe cyclonic storm likely to affect coastal areas, emphasizing the urgency of voter turnout despite challenges.
Banerjee's statement follows reports of decreased voter turnout in the fifth round of polling in West Bengal, attributed to adverse weather conditions.
