 "BJP urges EC to prevent rigging, booth capturing in UP, WB")
BJP today sought the Election Commission's intervention to prevent alleged rigging and booth capturing particularly in Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal in the last two phases of Lok Sabha polls.
A day after Narendra Modi criticised the poll panel for failing to curb alleged rigging during polls in some states, a BJP delegation headed by Arun Jaitley met the EC to complain that the incidents of "silent booth capturing" have started particularly in UP and West Bengal.
"Central forces are being used for non-election purposes and local police and home guards are managing polling booths. The agents of opposition parties are threatened and turned away from booths.
"It is especially seen in West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh. So in next two phases, Election Commission should ensure that it should not happen," Jaitley told reporters after meeting the poll panel.
He said that in the past 10-15 years, Election Commission's one big achievement was that it was able to stop booth capturing and rigging in states during polls.
"But in 2014 polls, booth capturing especially silent booth capturing has started again, particularly in West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh," he said.
As many as 23 Lok Sabha constituencies in West Bengal go to polls -- six on May 7 and 17 on May 12.
Elections will be held in 33 Lok Sabha constituencies in Uttar Pradesh in the remaining two phases.
Addressing a rally in Asansol in West Bengal yesterday, Modi had complained about booth rigging in West Bengal, Bihar and western Uttar Pradesh.
Modi had alleged that the EC was not acting impartially and even dared it to take action against him.
"Why are you not acting? What is your intention? If you feel wrong about what I am saying now, then you are free to lodge another case against me," Modi had said.
"It is your responsibility to ensure impartial polls. I am making very serious allegations," he had said.
A day after Narendra Modi criticised the poll panel for failing to curb alleged rigging during polls in some states, a BJP delegation headed by Arun Jaitley met the EC to complain that the incidents of "silent booth capturing" have started particularly in UP and West Bengal.
"Central forces are being used for non-election purposes and local police and home guards are managing polling booths. The agents of opposition parties are threatened and turned away from booths.
"It is especially seen in West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh. So in next two phases, Election Commission should ensure that it should not happen," Jaitley told reporters after meeting the poll panel.
He said that in the past 10-15 years, Election Commission's one big achievement was that it was able to stop booth capturing and rigging in states during polls.
"But in 2014 polls, booth capturing especially silent booth capturing has started again, particularly in West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh," he said.
As many as 23 Lok Sabha constituencies in West Bengal go to polls -- six on May 7 and 17 on May 12.
Elections will be held in 33 Lok Sabha constituencies in Uttar Pradesh in the remaining two phases.
Addressing a rally in Asansol in West Bengal yesterday, Modi had complained about booth rigging in West Bengal, Bihar and western Uttar Pradesh.
Modi had alleged that the EC was not acting impartially and even dared it to take action against him.
"Why are you not acting? What is your intention? If you feel wrong about what I am saying now, then you are free to lodge another case against me," Modi had said.
"It is your responsibility to ensure impartial polls. I am making very serious allegations," he had said.
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