Kolkata : A total of 32-33 companies of the central forces are arriving in the state for Saturday’s elections to 91 civic bodies, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said here on Friday.
“Our government has been informed that 32-33 companies of central force are arriving in the state. Though it’s late, I thank them. We have very little time. But they have said the central forces cannot be positioned at the booths. They will only be engaged in patrolling.”
“We will provide logistic support,” she said.
However, she also referred to the problems her debt-burdened state would face in paying the expenses for the central forces.
“We have to provide the expenses for their meals, vehicles, lodging, food. My government has to shell out money for each day they do duty. But I have monetary crisis. We have to arrange the funds. Time is very short. We will do whatever we can.”
Eighty-eight municipalities, two municipal corporations and a notified areas are slated to go to the hustings on Saturday.