EC conducted free polls in Bengal: BJP

None | By, Kanpur
Published on: May 10, 2006 12:03 am IST

FOR THE first time after 1977, free and fair elections have been conducted in West Bengal and all credit for this goes to the Election Commission. This was stated by West Bengal BJP president Tathagat Roy. He was in the city to take part in a private function.

FOR THE first time after 1977, free and fair elections have been conducted in West Bengal and all credit for this goes to the Election Commission. 

HT Image
HT Image

This was stated by West Bengal BJP president Tathagat Roy. He was in the city to take part in a private function.

Talking to newsmen today, Roy said the CPM had been involved in electoral fraud and rigging of polls since 1977. But due to efforts put in by the Election Commission, fair elections were conducted this time.

He added that all credit for this goes to the Election Commission and not the Congress Party. 

“In some parts of the State voting process continued up to 10 and 11 pm because the electorate got the opportunity for the first time after 1977 to case their votes. And no one wanted to miss the opportunity,” asserted Roy.

He further added that this time state police was debarred from talking part in the election process and paramilitary forces were deployed instead.

Replying to a query, Roy said un-employment and infiltration from Bangladesh were the main issues during the campaigning.

“ The menace of infiltration has increased to such an extent that in the three adjoining districts along the Bangladesh border —Murshidabad, Malda and Uttaridinajpur, the local populace has turned into a minority,” pointed out Roy.          

On the unemployment issue, Roy said there were more than 72 lakh unemployed in the State and the Health Care System had completely collapsed.  “Even the number two leader in the CPM hierarchy Anil Biswas, who recently died, was admitted to a private and not a government hospital,” asserted Roy.

Speculating the outcome of the election, Roy said the elections were closely contested and the Trinamool Congress and BJP alliance gave a tough fight to the CPM. Roy added that the Congress would be wiped out from the State and it would be cleared once the counting began.

However, Roy questioned the role played by the media in building the image of Chief Minister Buddhadev Bhattacharya.

“The overall image of the CPM among the masses has been tarnished but a section of the media played a major role in the image building of CM,” alleged Roy.

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