COVID-19: TMC MP Sukhendu Sekhar Ray urges ECI to impose ban on all rallies till last phase of poll is over

Kolkata: No sooner did the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced the poll dates for Uttar Pradesh, Goa, Manipur and Punjab and have also imposed certain restrictions on poll campaigns, TMC Rajya Sabha MP Sukhendu Sekhar Ray claimed that instead of banning the campaigns and imposing other restrictions till January 15, ECI should ban all the rallies till March 7.

“Even if the situation improves by January 15, it doesn’t give the consent to do something which can suit a political party and ultimately be detrimental for the public at large,” said Ray.

Taking potshots at ECI, the TMC Rajya Sabha MP claimed that in keeping with the second wave last year, TMC had requested ECI to club the last phases of polls and also that ECI had turned it down.

“In April last year too, keeping Covid situation in mind and safety of people as priority, we requested ECI to club final few phases of elections but our request was turned down and due to the eight-phase elections, the numbers of affected people increased in the state,” further mentioned Ray.

Speaking about the TMC’s inroad in upcoming Assembly polls, Ray claimed that the people of Goa have decided to bring a new dawn in the state.

“They will bring a change by defeating the corrupt BJP government. We are confident of TMC doing well in Goa and we will do whatever it takes to put our blood and sweat to defeat the divisive forces and work for the welfare of the people,” claimed the TMC Rajya Sabha MP.

Slamming the BJP, Ray said that just like Bengal gave a befitting reply in May, the electorate from other states will vote for "development and not deceit, justice not jumlas". "We are confident that people will vote for integrity, peace, harmony and economic development," he added.