Don't depend on state for central forces: Congress

The Congress Tuesday said election observers should not depend on the state government for central forces and accused the Trinamool Congress of terror tactics in two West Bengal assembly constituencies where bypolls are to be held.

Bypolls are scheduled to take place Sep 13.

State Congress chief Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury told media persons: "Trinamool is trying to create a reign of terror in the Chowringhee and Basirhat (South) assembly constituencies. The administration is a silent spectator."

He was speaking here after meeting state Chief Electoral Officer Sunil Kumar Gupta.

He added: "The miscreants and the police are working together to ensure Trinamool's victory in both the constituencies through blatant use of muscle power."

Chowdhury alleged the police were threatening Congress workers that false cases will be slapped on them if they work for party candidates.

He said: "Miscreants from outside are being housed in the local guest houses and hotels."

Chowdhury, a former union minister, said his party has full faith in the central forces, but not in the state government.

He said: "If the central observers depend solely on the state government for deployment of central forces, then the polls will not be peaceful."

A day earlier, a Bharatiya Janata Party delegation met Governor K.N. Tripathi and urged him to ensure the charge of deploying central forces is given to the Election Commission observers and not to the district magistrates or superintendents of police in then constituencies where bypolls are to be held.

The votes will be counted Sep 16.