 "EC did not manage to capture booth capturing in WB, alleges CPI(M)")
CPI(M), which has been complaining of large-scale poll irregularities in West Bengal, today said the Election Commission was not able to capture videos of booth capturing at several polling stations as the cameras were either covered or their direction turned away from voters to prevent recording of the poll process.
Referring to reports of "large-scale terror, intimidation and booth capturing", it said the EC apparatus "did not manage to capture such booth capturing through their video surveillance which was severely lacking in many crucial polling booths, in addition to the fact that no central paramilitary forces were deployed there".
Asking the EC to take action "to correct the consequent distortions", senior CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury said TV channels and private individuals "have recorded how TMC goons were forcibly voting for individuals who went to vote and such recordings have gone viral on social media networks."
Observing that the EC had not acted on the complaints during the third phase of polling in the state, he said this has "clearly encouraged the TMC to indulge in similar malpractices distorting democracy in the fourth phase".
"If the present complaints, such as video cameras being forcibly covered or their direction deliberately turned away from voters, also go unaddressed, then polling in the last and decisive phase where elections to 17 out of the 42 seats in West Bengal will take place, will be once again marred by large-scale irregularities," he said in an editorial in the party organ 'People's Democracy'.
The charges against TMC of "large-scale use of terror, intimidation, use of muscle and money power by parties like Congress, BJP and the Left deserve proper consideration by the EC and action taken to correct the consequent distortions".
Yechury also accused the BJP and TMC of indulging in "a new version of match fixing in the new IPL cricket season", saying this was "a battle for the consolidation of respective vote banks widening the communal divide".
The war of words between Narendra Modi and Mamata Banerjee was designed to consolidate hardcore Hindutva support base behind BJP and ensure that the minorities remain supportive of TMC in order to prevent the return of those disillusioned with TMC to the Left fold, he said.
BJP President Rajnath Singh had also spoken about "a handsome 'Bengal Package' cementing post poll Trinamool support to a BJP government. Such is the characteristic double speak of the RSS-BJP," Yechury said.
Referring to reports of "large-scale terror, intimidation and booth capturing", it said the EC apparatus "did not manage to capture such booth capturing through their video surveillance which was severely lacking in many crucial polling booths, in addition to the fact that no central paramilitary forces were deployed there".
Asking the EC to take action "to correct the consequent distortions", senior CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury said TV channels and private individuals "have recorded how TMC goons were forcibly voting for individuals who went to vote and such recordings have gone viral on social media networks."
Observing that the EC had not acted on the complaints during the third phase of polling in the state, he said this has "clearly encouraged the TMC to indulge in similar malpractices distorting democracy in the fourth phase".
"If the present complaints, such as video cameras being forcibly covered or their direction deliberately turned away from voters, also go unaddressed, then polling in the last and decisive phase where elections to 17 out of the 42 seats in West Bengal will take place, will be once again marred by large-scale irregularities," he said in an editorial in the party organ 'People's Democracy'.
The charges against TMC of "large-scale use of terror, intimidation, use of muscle and money power by parties like Congress, BJP and the Left deserve proper consideration by the EC and action taken to correct the consequent distortions".
Yechury also accused the BJP and TMC of indulging in "a new version of match fixing in the new IPL cricket season", saying this was "a battle for the consolidation of respective vote banks widening the communal divide".
The war of words between Narendra Modi and Mamata Banerjee was designed to consolidate hardcore Hindutva support base behind BJP and ensure that the minorities remain supportive of TMC in order to prevent the return of those disillusioned with TMC to the Left fold, he said.
BJP President Rajnath Singh had also spoken about "a handsome 'Bengal Package' cementing post poll Trinamool support to a BJP government. Such is the characteristic double speak of the RSS-BJP," Yechury said.
You’ve reached your limit of {{free_limit}} free articles this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
Already subscribed? Log in
Subscribe to read the full story →*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times
Smart Quarterly
₹900
3 Months
₹300/Month
SAVE 25%
Smart Essential
₹2,700
1 Year
₹225/Month
SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months
Super Saver
₹3,900
2 Years
₹162/Month
Subscribe
Renews automatically, cancel anytime
Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans
Exclusive premium stories online
Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors
Complimentary Access to The New York Times
News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic
Business Standard Epaper
Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share
Curated Newsletters
Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox
Market Analysis & Investment Insights
In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor
Archives
Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997
Ad-free Reading
Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements
Seamless Access Across All Devices
Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app
SAVE 25%