Centre upset over poll violence

LARGE-SCALE violence during civic body election in UP has raised doubts over the impartial and fair election in the State. Because of violence the electorate failed to use their franchise and the Union government is seriously analysing whether the upcoming Assembly elections in the State could be incident free and fair.

LARGE-SCALE violence during civic body election in UP has raised doubts over the impartial and fair election in the State. Because of violence the electorate failed to use their franchise and the Union government is seriously analysing whether the upcoming Assembly elections in the State could be incident free and fair.

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These observations were made by Minister of State for Home Affairs Shriprakash Jaiswal. While talking to mediapersons, Jaiswal said fair and free election and friendly atmosphere were must to increase the voting percentage.

He denied that Union government was trying to save Afzal Guru convicted in Parliament attack case.

Responding to a question, Jaiswal said, “In the 21st century we have different challenges. The proxy war and the hidden agenda of the enemy country to weaken our economy and disturb our communal harmony continues.” He said India was a multi-cultured and multi-religious country and anti-national forces could exploit the situation. He called upon the people to maintain communal harmony and to foil the attempts of the enemies.

Jaiswal said the challenges before para-military forces had increased. He called upon the security jawans to face the challenges and turn the situation into their favour. Without naming anyone, he said certain countries were trying their best to weaken our position and we must show solidarity and determination to defeat the enemies.