close_game
close_game

EC threatens to scrap West Bengal elections

PTI | ByPress Trust of India, New Delhi
May 10, 2004 03:18 AM IST

Taking a strong view of CPI (M) leader Biman Bose's alleged threats, EC has threatened to countermand Monday's LS polls in the state.

Taking a strong view of senior CPI (M) leader and Left Front chairman Biman Bose's alleged threats to poll observers in West Bengal, the Election Commission on Sunday threatened to countermand Monday's Lok Sabha elections in the state if ruling CPM workers vitiated the electoral process following his utterances.

HT Image
HT Image

In a hard-hitting statement, EC spokesman AN Jha termed Bose's reported remarks that CPM activists would grab poll observers by their collars and put them in police custody as tantamount to directly interfering with the discharge of constitutional duties of the EC.

The Commission "would not hesitate to even countermand elections in the state of West Bengal if the party workers vitiate the electoral process following the threats issued by Bose", he said.

Jha said an FIR would be filed against Bose for inciting his party workers to create disturbance and to prevent election observers from performing their legimate duty in the State.

The EC is also issuing a show cause notice to the CPM as to why action should not be taken for intefering in the functioning of the poll observers, Jha said.

However, Bose denied having made any comment about the poll observers.

Chapra report in

The fact-finding EC team, which visited Chapra to probe charges of rigging, submitted its report on Sunday. EC officials declined to comment on its contents and did not say when a decision on the BJP's request to countermand the polls would be taken.

Get Current Updates on India News, Weather Today, Latest News at Hindustan Times.
See More
Get Current Updates on India News, Weather Today, Latest News at Hindustan Times.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Monday, February 10, 2025
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On