BJP complaints to EC alleging post-poll violence in Bengal

Kolkata, May 1 (UNI) The BJP in West Bengal today charged the ruling Left Front with resorting to '' largescale post-poll violence in several districts'' and lodged a formal complaint with the Election Commission for early redressal.

Speaking to newspersons here after handing over the party's formal complaint to State Chief Electoral Oficer(CEO) Debashish Sen, BJP state President Tathagata Roy alleged at least five party workers and their family members sustained serious injuries after their houses were raided and ransacked by a group of armed CPI(M) cadres at Basanti in South 24 Parganas district last night.

''Among the injured was BJP south 24 Parganas district president Hrishikesh Haldar who was admitted to district hospital with multiple injuries,'' Mr Roy said, adding his house was reduced to ashes after it was set afire by the rival party workers.

Citing some other incidents of alleged post-poll violence against the BJP and other party workers in the state, Mr Roy said, in Garbeta constituency in East Midnapore district similar attacks were undertaken forcing a 'large number of party workers to flee the area.

He said if the CEO failed to initiate any worthwhile action against the ruling parties and prevent recurrence of any such incidents, party central leadership would take up the issue with Chief Election Commissioner B B Tandon in New Delhi for immediate action.

Mr Roy was, however, in full praise of the EC for its role in conducting a free, fair and peaceful election in the state ''for the first time in three decades''.

''We hope deployment of central forces in every booth even in the remaining two phases of elections in the state, would help maintain a similar trend'', Mr Roy said. He ruled out the possibility of any 'major electoral malpractices'' during the last three phases of elections.

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