After BJP, TMC complain, EC orders end of canvassing on May 16 instead of 17, shifts out ADG, Principal Secy
The Election Commission on Wednesday took an unprecedented decision to end campaigning in nine parliamentary constituencies in West Bengal on Thursday night (10 pm) a day before its scheduled deadline for the last phase of the election on May 19, in the wake of violence between the BJP and Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers in Kolkata.
Workers of the BJP and the TMC on Tuesday fought pitched battles on the streets of Kolkata during a massive roadshow by BJP chief Amit Shah.
In a separate order, the EC also shunted out top bureaucrats ADG (CID) Rajeev Kumar and State Principal Secretary (Home) Atteya Bhattacharya with immediate effect. Kumar has been directed to report to the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Both the TMC and the BJP approached the EC accusing each other of causing disruption and violence during political campaigns in the ongoing Lok Sabha polls.
A TMC delegation comprising Derek O’Brien, Sukhendu Sekhar Ray, Manish Gupta, Nadimul Haque met the EC accusing the BJP of desecration of statute of social reformer Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar during the violence in Kolkata. TMC leaders also released videos to claim “BJP goons” damaged the statue and submitted “proof” in support of their claim to the poll body.
Earlier, a BJP delegation urged the EC to bar West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee from campaigning in the State and alleged “constitutional machinery” has collapsed there.
In its order, the EC said it has been brought to the notice of the EC that there have been growing incidents of disruption and violence during political campaigns/processions in the State of West Bengal during the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.
As per the EC order, the prohibition will come into effect from 10 pm on May 16 and will continue till the conclusion of voting. The nine affected constituencies include Dumdum, Barasat, Basirghat, Jaynagar, Mathurapur, Diamond Harbour, Jadavpur, Kolkata Dakshin and Kolkata Uttar. “During last 24 hours, representatives of various political parties have met the Commission and expressed their concerns on the prevailing conditions of law and orders. These campaign related incidents are creating an atmosphere of fear and hatred in the polling areas which is affecting the overall electoral environment,” the EC said in the order.
“Therefore the EC in exercise of its powers under Article 324 of the Constitution to ensure free, fair and peaceful elections in the larger interest, hereby directs that no person shall convene, hold, attend, join or address any public meeting or propagate any election matter,” the order read.
Earlier, intensifying its attack on the BJP over the desecration of Vidyasagar’s bust, O’Brien said, “The video not only clearly establishes what the BJP did, but proves that its chief Amit Shah is a liar and dhokebaaz (betrayer)”.
“The streets of Kolkata are tinged with shock and anger. What happened yesterday (Tuesday) hurt Bengali pride,” the TMC leader said
The reaction from the TMC came close on the heels of Shah accusing TMC of indulging in violence in the State and alleged that the poll panel has been a “mute spectator”.
O’Brien also accused Central forces in Bengal of supporting the BJP in the national elections. “Central forces in Bengal have started a whisper campaign asking people to vote for BJP,” alleged O’Brien.
One of the videos shows a group of men purportedly trying to break down the gate of the Vidya Sagar college and enter the campus by jumping over its walls.
“It is a childish argument to ask who had the keys to the gate? The video establishes beyond doubt who desecrated the statue,” Derek O’Brien said, claiming his party has as many as 44 videos to support its claims. The party also showed a video and WhatsApp message allegedly sent by a BJP supporter asking people to come to Shah’s roadshow with rods and arms to fight the TMC and police.