BJP's Shah demands paramilitary in four UP constituencies

Taking on the Election Commission yet again, BJP leader Amit Shah Sunday said that despite the party's repeated demands, the poll panel has failed to deploy paramilitary personnel in each polling booth in the constituencies of Azamgarh, Ghosi, Jaunpur and Ghazipur in Uttar Pradesh or provide for videography facilities and observers.

Shah, in a letter to the Election Commission, said the Bharatiya Janata Party welcomes the security arrangements for Varanasi, from where the party's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi is contesting.

He said the BJP demands that the final phase of voting Monday is conducted in a free and fair manner without any violence.

He also said that the poll panel should publicise the arrangements it has made to ensure free and fair polls in these constituencies.

Shah, the Uttar Pradesh in charge of the BJP, said Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav is the candidate from Azamgarh, where it alleged all Samajwadi Party workers have assembled.

"We demand that like in Varanasi, outsiders should be made to leave Azamgarh," he said.

The BJP believes this is essential for free and fair polls, Shah said in a letter to the Election Commission.

Last week, the BJP had hit out against the Election Commission for refusing permission to Modi to hold a rally in Varanasi.

Modi accused the poll panel of discrimination for refusal of permission for his rally.