BJP urges WBSEC for adequate deployment of central force

The BJP today urged the State Election Commission in West Bengal to deploy central forces for the upcoming civic polls, 10 days prior to the election.
Worried about violence in upcoming civic polls, the BJP, in a memorandum to state Election Commissioner S R Upadhyay, appealed for deploying four armed central force per booth to guard it and the area surrounding it.
"Everyday our posters, festoons, flags, hoardings were torn off, workers are beaten up in every corner of the state. Police in most of the cases are not taking diary or FIR and on the contrary slapping non-bailable cases against our workers at the behest of local TMC goons," the memorandum said.

In case of non-availability of adequate number of central forces, the BJP has urged the WBSEC to conduct polls in 91 municipalities, scheduled on April 25, in phases for proper deployment of available central forces in all booths.
The saffron party has also urged him to take total control over the central forces and state police to avoid possible manipulation by the ruling party.
"Without deployment of any central force, it will be difficult to conduct the civic poll fairly and peacefully," it added.

The State Election Commissioner had already written a letter to the government for details on what transpired after it assured to take up the issue with the Centre.

State government officials said the matter had already been taken up with the Centre and once it received feedback on the issue, it would be communicated to the WBSEC.
The commission had hinted at the requirement of at least 100 companies of central forces for free, fair and peaceful civic polls.
"Since the polling date is getting closer, we should know details about availability of the central forces for appropriate planning for their deployment," Upadhyay had said.
Election to the 144-seat Kolkata Municipal Corporation is slated for April 18, while polls to 91 municipalities across the state would be held on April 25.

These elections are seen as a trial of strength of the major political parties before the Assembly election due in May next year.