EC to move against Chakraborty, CPI(M), WB govt

New Delhi, Apr 8 (UNI) The Election Commission today made it clear that it intended to take separate actions against West Bengal Transport Minister Subash Chakraborty, his party -- the CPI(M) -- and the state government for his ''threatening statement'' in the first week of March against state government officials involved in the assembly election.

In a communication to CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat, who has taken exception to the EC moving against Mr Chakraborty without waiting for the party's response, the commission said it was treating the statement from three angles -- viewing Mr Chakraborty as an individual, as a party functionary and as a ''responsible minister'' of the government -- without linking one to the other.

According to EC sources, the Commission had decided on March 30 to lodge a criminal case against Mr Chakraborty, apart from seeking explanation from the CPI(M) and the state government, in connection with the ''intimidating statement'' of Mr Chakraborty on March 6.

Mr Karat had written to the Commission on April 5, taking exception to EC not waiting for his response before initiating action against a party leader.

In its reply to Mr Karat, the EC made it clear that ''all the three actions were to be taken independently of each other''.

Action was decided to be initiated against Mr Chakraborty for having violated certain penal provisions of law in his personal capacity, as a CPI(M) leader and as a ''responsible minister'' of the state government.

''Considering all the above, there was no question of waiting for the explanation of your party before initiating action'', the EC said.

The commission also clarified that it was ''considering separately'' the explanation given by Mr Karat in his April 4 letter.

The commission had asked the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) to file an FIR against Mr Chakraborty.

UNI SN VD HT1330