Bengal polls: ECI serves show cause notice to Mamata Banerjee

After a mid-course review meeting in Kolkata,  Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi said, "It was brought to the knowledge of the Election Commission that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee made a statement in Asansol to set up a new district, during elections, which broke the Model Code of Conduct. We have issued her an urgent show cause notice. After receiving her reply, we will take next step."

Nasim Zaidi also assured to take steps against TMC's Birbhum district president Anubrata Mondal who has already been censored and issued show cause notice by the ECI.

"We have directed to our machinery to take legal steps against Anubrata Mondal and others involved in pre-poll, during polls and post-poll violence, very soon."

The Election Commission also said that close to 800 companies of Central Paramilitary Forces will provide security on 2nd phase poll, which is scheduled on Apr 7.

Meanwhile, hitting out at ECI's show cause notice, Mamata Banerjee said in a public meeting in Birbhum district, "Whatever I said is correct. I will say it thousand times. They can do anything they want. They have sent me a show cause notice on Poila Boisakh. The people of Bengal will show cause them on May 19."

However, oppositions have welcomed ECI's decision to issue notice to the TMC chief.

(Reporting by Deepayan Sinha)