Kolkata, Oct 6 (PTI) The ruling BJP in West Bengal on Tuesday accused opposition parties of attempting to vitiate the atmosphere during the bypolls through provocative statements and efforts to trigger unrest, and urged the EC to ensure free and fair elections.
State BJP chief spokesperson Debjit Sarkar alleged that opposition leaders were spreading false, inflammatory and divisive statements to create tension, and were preparing the ground to challenge the electoral outcome in anticipation of defeat.
Referring to remarks about a ’70:30 ratio’, the reconstruction of a Babri mosque and a statement wishing death upon Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, Sarkar claimed these were not isolated incidents but reflected a pattern of provocative political messaging.
The Babri mosque reference relates to AJUP chief Humayun Kabir’s controversial proposal to build a structure modelled on the demolished Babri Masjid in Ayodhya, which has become a political flashpoint in Bengal.
Criticising the Congress’ demand for re-polling and its sit-in, Sarkar said the party could have raised its concerns earlier instead of questioning the electoral process before the results were declared.
He accused opposition parties of attempting to revive what he described as a long-standing culture of electoral violence in West Bengal, asserting that the BJP stood for peaceful and impartial elections.
Voting for bypolls to Nandigram and Rejinagar assembly seats was underway on Tuesday, with over 58 per cent of electors exercising their franchise till 1 pm.
On allegations of road blockades, protests and preventing minority women from voting in Nandigram, Sarkar said the Election Commission was responsible for investigating the complaints and taking appropriate action.
“Those making these allegations should approach the Election Commission with specific evidence,” he said, urging the poll panel to verify the claims and ensure that voters could exercise their franchise without fear or intimidation.
Reacting to the incident involving Congress’ Nandigram nominee Milan Pradhan, who was allegedly surrounded by protesters during a visit to an area, Sarkar described it as an expression of public anger.
Expressing confidence in the BJP’s prospects, he claimed that opposition candidates would lose their security deposits after the results were declared.
Sarkar said the people of West Bengal no longer wanted politics marked by violence, intimidation and division, adding that the ruling BJP would oppose any attempt to disrupt the democratic process through political and constitutional means. PTI PNT BDC
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