Kolkata, Mar 29 (PTI) CPI(M) state secretary Md Salim on Sunday said the Left Front will stage demonstrations outside BDO and SDO offices across West Bengal from March 30 to April 1, demanding that no genuine voter’s name be left out of the supplementary electoral lists published by the Election Commission.
Speaking to reporters after releasing the names of seven Left Front candidates for the Assembly polls, Salim alleged that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise was part of a larger conspiracy by the BJP and RSS.
“Tomorrow and the day after, we will stage demonstrations outside BDO and SDO offices along with our candidates. They are releasing one supplementary list after another, where lakhs of names are missing. We will not allow this unless every citizen can exercise their franchise. We demand a comprehensive list,” he said, adding that reports suggest people from marginalised communities, backward classes, and minorities were largely excluded.
Salim said the Left Front’s lawyers and volunteers will provide free legal assistance to those whose names are missing from the electoral rolls despite submitting all required documents.
Describing the communal violence in Raghunathganj and Jangipur in Murshidabad on Ram Navami day as “pre-planned”, he said it was part of the BJP-TMC binary.
“We tried to break the binary. While BJP and RSS workers vandalised shops, the police and administration watched. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar made tall claims about police and central forces keeping a tight watch. But how did the violence take place? Who is in charge of the situation? Can CM Mamata Banerjee absolve herself of any responsibility?” he said.
He praised locals for maintaining peace and preventing the disruption of communal harmony.
Salim also called for strict action against all involved in the violence, saying, “There cannot be only 30 arrests. Others who were involved should also be prosecuted.” The seven candidates named in the latest list included CPI(M)’s Md Sami Khan from Islampur, Rabindra Nath Mahato from Sandeshkhali (ST), and RSP candidate Pratibha Rani Kar Sasmaal from Bhagawanpur.
The Left Front has so far announced candidates for 231 seats. While on March 16 the front had announced the names of 192 candidates, it released the names of another 32 nominees on March 19, in addition to Sunday’s seven aspirants. The front will not field candidates from seats where the ISF and CPIML (L) are in fray.
The elections to the 294-member West Bengal assembly will be held in two phases – on April 23 and 29. Votes will be counted on May 4. PTI SUS MNB
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