CPI-M accuses Trinamool of rigging polls in West Midnapore

West Bengal's opposition Left Front Thursday accused the ruling Trinamool Congress of indulging in rigging across extensive areas of West Midnapore and parts of Bankura districts in phase one of state panchayat polls.

LF chairman and Communist Party of India-Marxist state secretary Biman Bose also attacked the state government of not adhering to the State Election Commission's directives banning motor bike brigades during campaigning and on deployment of central security forces.

Speaking to the media, Bose alleged that the Trinamool sponsored miscreants had rigged 31 booths in Pingla, 19 in Salboni, 33 in Daspur, 79 in Ghatal and all booths in Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar's birthplace Birsingha in West Midnapore district.

"They captured 13 booths at Debra, 43 in Danton, 36 in Mohanpur, all booths in both gram panchayats of Chandrakona. Fifty booths were captured in Goaltore, 43 in Midnapore Sardar, and majority of booths in Keshpur, Salboni, Debgram, where LF agents were driven out. Elections were also rigged in Garbeta," alleged Bose.

In Bankura, Trinamool activists removed polling agents and rigged votes in Bishnupur and Joypur. "In Mejisa, they captured seven booths."

"The elections were held in an atmosphere of terror. But despite the reign of terror, in Purulia district people have cast their votes. Voting went on normally despite the absence of central forces," he said.

He said two CPI-M supporters were injured in attacks by the Trinamool activists.

Bose said despite the EC's ban on using motor cycle brigades in campaigning, such rallies have been taken out.

He also criticised the state government for not deploying central paramilitary troopers in many areas whereas the forces were seen "roaming around in far-flung places".

"Central force has not be used in the proper way in many areas...whereas in some areas they were seen roaming around. In Bankura, for example, no central forces were deployed. They were roaming around in far-off places," said Bose.

In the first phase, the polls were held in the three Maoist-hit districts of West Midnapore, Bankura and Purulia, under intensive security arrangements with helicopters keeping vigil from the air and 15,000 central paramilitary troopers requisitioned for the elections.

"In west Midnapore, no central forces were seen in many areas," added Bose.

Referring to theTrinamool Congress candidate who was caught on camera voting on behalf of an "inebriated" voter in Jhalda in Purulia district, Bose said, "No member of any political party or any outsider can cast vote for others in this manner. But in Jaldah, this has happened. It is customary for the polling personnel to carry out necessary actions."