Mukul promises voters free smartphones, triggers row

Kolkata: Triggering controversy BJP leader Mukul Roy has declared that the party would gift smartphones among the young generation if it wins the zilla parishad in Jalpaiguri in the upcoming panchayat elections. He made the comments during an election campaign rally in the North Bengal district on Saturday.

Accusing him of violating the model code of conduct (MCC) which has been underway for the rural polls the Trinamul Congress has lodged a complaint with the state election commission and police.

While addressing a rally at Ghughudanga Mr Roy said, “The BJP is in a good condition. There will be no need for Khela, Mela, Leela (games, fair and drama) if you can help the BJP win the Jalpaiguri zilla parishad. And if the zilla parishad is won, it will gift smartphone to each and every member of the young generation, above the age of 18 years because our government wants cashless transaction. Smartphone is needed for cashless transactions.”

Justifying his announcement he argued that there would be no point in distributing money for games, fair and drama like the ruling party. Soon after his statement Trinamul district president of Jalpaiguri Sourav Chakraborty alleged, “Mr Roy violated the MCC rules. He gave false hopes to allure the voters. We have already lodged a complaint against him with the state election commission. We are also taking legal steps. Whatever Mr Roy has done, he should apologise to the public for it.”

On Sunday morning a Trinamul candidate of seat no 9 of the zila parishad: Bidhan Chandra Roy lodged a complaint with the Jalpaiguri police station. Lashing out at Mr Roy North Bengal development minister Rabindranath Ghosh claimed, “He has been violating the MCC from beginning. He is also threatening the police. The state election commission should take legal steps against him after seeing the footages showing him alluring the voters.”

Trinamul secretary general Partha Chatterjee said, “The BJP is distributing leaflets on communal lines to pull votes. Mr Roy’s comments on gifting smartphones reflect the BJP’s moral fall from grace. The people of the state may be poor. But they would not surrender themselves to such greed. We expect the state election commission would act without sitting idle.”

CPI(M) MLA Sujan Chakraborty alleged, “There is no doubt that it is a clear case of violation of the MCC. It is totally illegal. If anyone declares of giving gifts during the poll campaign, it is just an assurance.”