Basu alleges code violation

Kolkata, Apr 26: CPI(M) State secretary Biman Basu in a letter to Chief Election Commission has drawn his attention to an alleged violation of code by Expenditure Observer H Bheemashankar when he ascribed 139-Belgachia assembly constituency as a 'notorious constituency of West Bengal and that there never was a free-and-fair election'.

The letter to the Chief Election Commissioner sought an early inquiry into the matter and quick action against the concerned observer.

Mr Basu said, "In his media conference, Shri Bheemashankar remarked that the 139-Belgachia A C had been the most notorious Constituency of West Bengal and that there never was a free-and-fair election held in that constituency," Mr Basu said.

"During the TV programme itself, our party's state secretariat member, Madan Ghosh had instantly protested Mr Bheemashankar's remarks to Mr Anand Kumar, Deputy Election Commissioner, and Mr Debashis Sen, Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal," he said.

The ECI has not given the right and privilege to any of its Observers to speak to the media, and yet Mr Bheemashankar had violated this restriction with impunity, he added.

Mr Basu raised a concern, "The ECI may also judge whether an Observer possesses the right to pass such extremely disparaging and depreciatory remarks about any constituency." In passing such uncalled for remarks, Mr Bheemashankar has been guilty of insulting the electorate of the concerned constituency.

"We are also astonished how Mr Bheemashankar by commenting that free-and-fair elections had never taken place in 139-belgachia A C, has chosen to show malicious disrespect towards all previous Election Commissions of India under whose auspices Assembly and Parliamentary election in West Bengal have been held," Mr Basu questioned.

UNI