Kolkata: The CPI-M on Saturday accused the West Bengal government and the state police and administration of having declared a war against the people by attempting to forcibly robbing the masses of their voting rights in the local body polls.
“We vehemently condemn the way the ruling party is trying to rob the people of their democratic rights by teaming up with police and criminals. Irrespective of party affiliation, we appeal to all people who love democracy to participate in our condemnation day programme on October 5,” state Communist Party of India-Marxist secretary Surjya Kanta Mishra said in a statement. Mishra alleged that the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) was trying to “forcibly rob” the people of their voting rights as it was “isolated from the masses”. “In Bidhannagar, Asansol and Bally civic polls, miscreants from other areas were brought to capture booths and cast false votes. There was firing, and bombs were hurled. At various places, common people were either not allowed to enter the polling booths, or were forced out of queues at the polling booths”. Mishra demanded total re-poll at Bidhannagar, and arrest and punishment of miscreants.
