Simultaneous LS and assembly poll may take place in WB: Ghosh

The BJP's state unit president, Dilip Ghosh today said the people of Bengal may have to vote simultaneously for the Lok Sabha and the state assembly polls in 2019, drawing sharp reactions from the Trinamol Congress.

"I feel instead of 2021, the people of the state may have to vote simultaneously for the Lok Sabha and the assembly elections in 2019," Ghosh said at the party's state executive meeting here.

"Whenever TMC held a meeting in 2009, the CPI(M) used to counter it by holding its own meeting. Now the TMC has started countering us the same way," he said.
 

Ghosh also charged the TMC with resorting to atrocities and unleashing violence against the BJP workers leading to frequest clashes across West Bengal.

"The TMC is unleashing atrocities against the BJP workers as the party is growing. It is following the footsteps of the CPI-M which used to unleash violence against its political opponents when it was in power in the state," he said.

Ghosh's statement on simultaneous election drew sharp reactions from the ruling TMC and the opposition Congress and Left Front.

"Who is he to decide when the assembly polls will take place? The people of Bengal voted in TMC for five years and we will complete the term. Who are they (BJP) to undermine the verdict of the people?" retorted TMC secretary general Partha Chatterjee.

State Congress President Adhir Chowdhury accused the BJP of trying to impose presidential form of government in the country.

"The BJP has no faith in the Constitution. They want to change the Constitution and impose presidential form of government just like the USA. They want to change the country into a Hindu Rastra," Chowdhury told PTI.

The CPI-M leader Sujan Chakrabarty echoed Chowdhury.

Ghosh's comment came in the wake of Prime Minister Narendra Modi making a strong pitch for simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and the state assemblies and urging all parties to consider the suggestion by rising above political consideratins.