At a time the opposition forces are training guns at the CPI(M) over charges of intimidation and creating obstacles in their electioneering process, the Left appears to have turned the tables on their arch political rival in East Midnapore.
The CPI(M) leadership in East Midnapore has accused local Trinamool supporters of mounting unprovoked attacks on the Left leaders cadres, thereby impeding the conduct of their election campaign in the area. They claimed that across many areas of the district, their men have come under attack from the opposition forces and have been restrained from campaigning freely. The CPI(M) has already lodged written complaints to the district administration and Election Commission.
Local CPI(M) leaders claimed that across many such areas as Nandigram, Heria and Khejuri, in addition to certain pockets of the Ghatal sub-division, the cadres and the Left poll nominees have not been allowed to campaign. The Left leaders had also briefed election commissioner Vinod Zutshi about the alleged intimidating and disruptive tactics of the principal state opposition, during his recent visit to the district.
“Across many areas, our nominees have been restrained from campaigning, while our men have been beaten up and threatened. Trinamool’s supporters also set fire to the houses of our supporters. We want a peaceful conduct of polls in the area. However, the Trinamool leaders and supporters are bent on vitiating the atmosphere and have unleashed a reign of terror in the area. We have informed the Election Commission and they should take the necessary steps so the people can vote freely,” said local CPI(M) strongman and former MP Lakshman Seth.
{{/usCountry}}“Across many areas, our nominees have been restrained from campaigning, while our men have been beaten up and threatened. Trinamool’s supporters also set fire to the houses of our supporters. We want a peaceful conduct of polls in the area. However, the Trinamool leaders and supporters are bent on vitiating the atmosphere and have unleashed a reign of terror in the area. We have informed the Election Commission and they should take the necessary steps so the people can vote freely,” said local CPI(M) strongman and former MP Lakshman Seth.
{{/usCountry}}Local Trinamool leaders trashed the charges, claiming that since the Nandigram violence and back-to-back reverses in the panchayat and parliamentary polls, CPI(M) has lost a lot of ground here and are now resorting to false charges in a desperate bid to gain a foothold. “They would be defeated in all 16 seats of the district. They know their end is near and are now resorting to airy charges against us,” said Mahmud Hossain, Trinamool general secretary, East Midnapore.
Trinamool leaders further claimed that the Left cadres have stepped up attacks at Contai (North), where Trinamool has fielded Dibyendu Adhikary as their poll nominee. “Under the guise of facilitating the comeback of their men, the CPI(M) is pushing in the armed cadres (harmads) in the area to unleash terror,” a Trinamool leader said.
“People here have grown aware of the corrupt ways of the Trinamool since they took control of the zilla parishad. They have realised their mistake and would not vote for Trinamool,” said Seth.
However, despite the Left’s assertions of a turnaround, the local Trinamool leadership remains optimistic of continuing their victory run in the assembly polls.
Post the protracted spell of violence that was set off by the police firing on protesting villagers, Trinamool made deep inroads into Nandigram and further entrenched itself after a resounding mandate in the parliamentary elections.
Many of the CPI(M) leaders and cadres from the Heria and Khejuri areas, who were on the run during the Nandigram movement, have since returned, but an air of uneasy calm and fear of fresh clashes prevails still.