|
|
|
|
|
Author: News
Publication: The Pioneer
Date: April 4, 2006
Pressing the panic button following the Election Commission's sustained bid to curb what the Left's political opponents dub as "scientific rigging" in West Bengal, a delegation led by the CPI (M) on Sunday tried to bulldoze the commission by complaining against its officials' conduct.
Panic Attack
But the EC promptly rejected the Left parties' objections on deletion of names from the voters' list, deployment of central paramilitary forces and conduct of some poll observers in poll-bound West Bengal.
"The delegation of CPI (M) met the commission and presented a memorandum. The commission has clarified the issues," was all that Deputy Election Commissioner R Balakrishnan said.
On the deployment of paramilitary forces, he said there was perfect coordination between the EC and the States and each State going to elections has been consulted.
A delegation led by CPI (M) general secretary Prakash Karat also complained about the EC-imposed ban on issues of graffiti, banners and posters for campaigning and alleged irregularities in revision of electoral rolls in West Bengal, which goes for five-phased polls from April 17.
In a strong reaction to the hue and cry against the conduct of EC officials in West Bengal, Opposition BJP on Monday accused the CPI (M) and its allies of trying to browbeat constitutional authority, which was trying to ensure a free and fair poll in the State.
"The campaign against the Election Commission is a move to counter the Bihar jinx where Lalu's 15-year reign ended thanks to the EC's tough handling of the elections," BJP senior vice-president Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said.
He wondered why the Left had not raised the question when the EC had deployed paramilitary forces to ensure free and fair polls in Bihar and other States. "Do the Left parties claim that the Constitution of India doesn't apply in West Bengal and the rules of the game should to be different for the Left-ruled State," he asked.
Political observers pointed out that the CPI (M) in West Bengal has been unhappy with the Election Commission from the word go and has made no bones about it.
The Election Commission has cracked down on bogus voting in Bengal, deleting names from electoral rolls and insisting on use of identification cards, a move that hasn't gone down too well with the party cadres, they said.
Sources also maintained that the Left had a hand in forcing EC's special observer KJ Rao to leave the commission. After successfully conducting Bihar elections, Mr Rao was trying to do the same thing in West Bengal.
In fact, the Left has already launched a political campaign against the EC in West Bengal as part of its electioneering. The CPI (M)'s theatre group has started a parody on the Election Commission, depicted as being haughty. An observer from the commission is shown as someone who is far removed from reality and is striking off names from the voters list at random.
 |
|
|
