West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday said that she will lodge a complaint with the Election Commission against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for “violating the model code of conduct” by announcing the success of Mission Shakti.

In a series of tweets, the Trinamool Congress chief launched a scathing attack on the PM saying that the announcement was “another limitless drama”.

“Today’s announcement is yet another limitless drama and publicity mongering by Modi desperately trying to reap political benefits at the time of election. This is a gross violation of Model Code of Conduct,” Banerjee said.

“There is no great urgency in conducting and announcing the mission now by a government past its expiry date. It seems a desperate oxygen to save the imminent sinking of the BJP boat. We are lodging a complaint with the Election Commission,” Banerjee declared.

The fiery TMC chief, who is at the forefront of a yet-to-be-finalised grand alliance of opposition parties, praised the scientists for the achievement and said that Modi takes credit for everything.

“India’s Mission Programme is world-class for many many years. We are always proud of our scientists, @DRDO_India , other research & space organisations,” she said in the tweet.

“Research, space management & development are a continuous process over the years. Modi, as usual, likes to take the credit for everything. Credit to those who really deserve it, our scientists & researchers,” added Banerjee.

Research, space management & development are a continuous process over the years. Modi, as usual, likes to take the credit for everything. Credit to those who really deserve it, our scientists & researchers. 2/4

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) March 27, 2019

There is no great urgency in conducting and announcing the mission now by a government past its expiry date. It seems a desperate oxygen to save the imminent sinking of the BJP boat. We are lodging a complaint with the Election Commission. 4/4

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) March 27, 2019

Later at a press conference Banerjee again raised questions on the PM announcing the feat.

“What was the need for Modi at the time of election to violate the model code of conduct to take the credit? Does he work there? Is he going to space?” she was quoted as saying by ANI.

“It’s a political announcement; scientists should have announced it, it’s their credit. Only one satellite was destroyed; that wasn’t necessary, it was lying there since long. It’s the prerogative of scientists when to do it. We will complain to the EC,” she added.

Banerjee was among a large section of opposition leaders who slammed the PM for taking credit of an achievement of the scientists and alleged that the announcement violated the model code of conduct as it came just days before the Lok Sabha elections 2019.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi took a jibe at PM Modi in a tweet.

“Well done DRDO, extremely proud of your work. I would also like to wish the PM a very happy World Theatre Day,” he wrote.

Well done DRDO, extremely proud of your work.

I would also like to wish the PM a very happy World Theatre Day.

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) March 27, 2019

The Congress, on the other hand, gave the credit for the formation of ISRO to Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi.

“We congratulate @isro @DRDO_India & the Govt on the latest achievement for India. The Indian Space Programme established in 1962 by Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru & the Indian Space Research Organisation set up under Smt. Indira Gandhi has always made India proud through its achievements,” the party tweeted.

“.@DRDO_India set up in 1958 under Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru was the first govt. agency to begin defence research & development. It has played a pivotal role in equipping our defence forces with the latest technological developments,” read a second tweet.

.@DRDO_India set up in 1958 under Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru was the first govt. agency to begin defence research & development. It has played a pivotal role in equipping our defence forces with the latest technological developments.

— Congress (@INCIndia) March 27, 2019

“India has registered its name as a Space Power today. Only three countries – US, Russia and China – had this capability. India is now the fourth country that has achieved this feat. There cannot be anything bigger than this matter of pride for all Indians,” the PM said in an address to the nation earlier today.

The PM said that an indigenously-built anti-satellite (ASAT) missile successfully destroyed a target satellite in the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) meaning that the country now has the ability to destroy any enemy satellite in space.

Called Mission Shakti, the entire operation from the firing of the missile to the destruction of the target took just three minutes.