Mamata Banerjee on Saturday questioned the Election Commission’s transfers of four senior officers, including the Calcutta police commissioner, and alleged the action had been taken at the “behest of the BJP.”

The poll panel had ordered the transfers on Friday night and made it clear the officers shifted should not be involved in any election-related duty. The officers who replaced the four were asked to take charge of their new posts on Saturday.

“Under the instructions of the BJP….. good officers were transferred ahead of the elections. If you can, try and change me. The officers who have been put in these posts are also our officers. All the officers are good. I want to make it clear that the more you try to put pressure on me, I will sustain it with greater strength. Such steps will not affect us,” Mamata said at a public meeting in Alipurduar.

Alipurduar and Cooch Behar vote in the first phase on April 11.

Analysts said that on a number of occasions earlier, Mamata had been critical of the poll panel. “Even this time, she has said it was because of the BJP that the elections would be held in seven phases in Bengal,” said an analyst.

In her speech on Saturday, Mamata said she “welcomed” central forces. “We hope they will work hand in hand with state forces.”

The chief minister, who held two meetings on Saturday, continued her diatribe against the BJP. “If the party comes to power again, you will lose your freedom. They will change the Constitution,” Mamata said.

She singled out John Barla, the BJP’s Alipurduar candidate, and alleged that the party had fielded “a person accused of inciting tension in the Dooars”.

“The BJP could not find a candidate here and has fielded John Barla. He has several cases against him,” the Trinamul chief said.