'Take note of violence in local body elections'

New Delhi, Oct 31: Union Water Resources Minister Saifuddin Soz today urged the Chief Election Commission to take note of the violence taking place in Uttar Pradesh ahead of the local body elections at a time when the state is to go for Assembly elections in the next few months.

Mr Soz in his letter to Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalaswamy said fear psychosis was widespread in U P and the administrative machinery was under great deal of pressure from political bosses.

The law and order was a casualty. "In my opinion, UP needs special attention of the EC for ensuring free and fair elections to the coming Legislative Assembly elections", Mr Soz said.

Recalling the ugly incidents at Allahabad on October 26, Prof Soz narrated how the 'goons' of Samajwadi Party obstructed his election meeting in the civil lines outside AG's office. They did everything to provoke retaliation, but the patient crowd remained unperturbed by the 'hooliganism' of SP. The police on their part remained silent without taking notice of rowdyism. "I lamented the neligence on the part of the police at the meeting", he wrote.

He also said it was his hope that the E C takes note of the murders committed in the recent months for ensuring that elections will be fair in UP. "It is better to initiate the process of reform now rather than after the elections are announced", the minister said.

UNI