Hindu Vivek Kendra
A RESOURCE CENTER FOR THE PROMOTION OF HINDUTVA
   
 
 
«« Back
Buddha rebukes partymen

Buddha rebukes partymen

Author:
Publication: The Statesman
Date: April 13, 2003

Opp must be allowed to file poll papers: CM

[Note from Hindu Vivek Kendra:  Such rebuke are for the consumption of the secular media, since they do not have any impact at the ground level.  If the CM is sincere, he would take action against those who prevented the opposition from filing papaers.]

In an unprecedented gesture, Mr Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee has delivered what amounts to a sharp rebuke to his party bosses by officially condemning acts of the CPI-M to prevent Opposition parties from filing their nomination papers for the panchayat polls. This comes on the heels of state secretary CPI-M Mr Anil Biswas insisting that "such allegations (by the Opposition) are baseless... nobody is being prevented from filing nominations."

And the chief ministerial rap on the knuckles for the party has come in writing - unheard of during his predecessor's regime. What's more, sources close to the chief minister said, he seems to have risen above party interests and sent a not-so-veiled message to Alimuddin Street. His comrades there also need to exercise restraint while reacting to Opposition allegations that their candidates were being threatened and prevented from filing their nomination papers.

The chief minister's written statement goes like this: "I have received complaints that candidates of Opposition parties are not being able to file their nomination papers in some seats and areas. We never support incidents and acts of this nature. I appeal to Left workers to ensure that such incidents do not occur, no matter what the situation is. I have cautioned the police and administration and told them that they will have to intervene in such cases. In the interest of free and fair polls, meaning in the interest of democracy, this is absolutely necessary".

While Miss Mamata Banerjee today described the chief minister's official statement as a "hoax" - "with only a day left for the filing of nominations, the chief minister's statement rings hollow", Mr Anil Biswas affected a combination of stout denial and bluster in response to what is being widely seen as an attempt by the chief minister to show him and the other denizens of Alimuddin Street their place. "The chief minister had taken the right step... there isn't any confusion about his role. Mr Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee has shown that he is a democratic chief minister. He responded to allegations of the Opposition. However, we don't have any information about Opposition candidates being prevented from filing their nomination papers," Mr Biswas said. As for Left Front unity with regard to seat-sharing, Mr Biswas said that the CPI-M will fight on its own in areas where talks have failed.

The most interesting response to the chief minister's stand has come from the LF's junior partners, who welcomed his gesture, saying he had done the right thing as this would help strengthen democracy in the state.

Mr Ashok Ghosh, Forward Bloc general secretary, was all praise for the chief minister. "I believe, the LF should also make a similar appeal. Let the people decide who should win the polls. One shouldn't prevent Opposition candidates from filing nomination papers," Mr Ghosh said. Same was Mr Debabrata Bandopadhyay's reaction. The RSP secretary said the chief minister had taken a bold step. "I welcome it. There shouldn't be any muscle-flexing. Buddhababu has taken the right step," he said. Mr Manjukumar Majumdar, CPI secretary, too agreed with the RSP secretary but he condemned similar acts by Opposition parties against the CPI. "We want the Opposition to field candidates. But they should also respond well and cooperate with us to maintain law and order," he said. Today's written statement appears to be an official endorsement of the perception in political circles that the chief minister wouldn't allow the administration to be taken over by CPI-M cadres and the mandarins at Alimuddin Street.

The West Bengal State Election Commission in a press release issued today stressed that it "continues, and will continue to play its constitutional role without favour and bias... in the conduct of the panchayat polls."
 


Back                          Top

«« Back
 
 
 
  Search Articles
 
  Special Annoucements