EC a mute spectator in West Bengal: Shah

BJP President Amit Shah on Wednesday hit out at the Election Commission for "not being impartial" in West Bengal and said it remained a mute spectator and did not act despite complaints of poll rigging in the ongoing Lok Sabha polls.

"Attempts at election rigging are happening in West Bengal but the Election Commission has remained a mute spectator. It should intervene," Shah told a press conference.

He said after each of the six phases of polling in the state, the BJP approached the Election Commission and sought action for the incidents of violence and rigging but not once has the poll panel ordered a repoll anywhere.

"The Election Commission has been a mute spectator. Everywhere in the country history-sheeters are apprehended ahead of polls. But in West Bengal they are roaming free... Not a single one has been caught so far. I seriously question the Election Commission's neutrality in Bengal," he said.

Until the history-sheeters were caught, questions will be raised on the Election Commission's partiality, he said.

"The Commission has been partial from the very beginning of the elections in the state," he said. "I don't have any hope that the Election Commission will work impartially in West Bengal."

--IANS

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