Topdar attacks EC

Kolkata, Mar 10 (UNI) Taking a cue from Transport Minister Subhash Chakraborty, CPI(M) Lok Sabha member Tarit Topdar today alleged that the measures initiated by the Election Commission in the poll-bound West Bengal smacked of 'authoritarianism' and had 'deep socio-political implications'.

'' The decisions of the EC have deep socio-political implications...there is an element of authoritarianism in what is being done,'' he told reporters.

Alleging that the EC decision for a five-phase polling in West Bengal was an insult to the state, Mr Topdar said all these measures were being taken 'mechanically'.

'' The EC has no accountability to anybody and things are being done from bureaucratic angle,'' he said.

Mr Topdar's charges followed the outburst of the Transport Minister, who at an election rally, charged the EC of committing excesses.

Mr Topdar asked why West Bengal was singled out by the EC for implementing its harsh decisions when the state had a fairly good record of law and order. The decisions of the EC, which was supposed to play as a 'referee', were different from what they were expected to be, he said.

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