BJP seeks deployment of central forces for Hamirpur by-polls

Shimla, May 30 (UNI) The Himachal Pradesh unit of the BJP today urged the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) N Gopalaswami to deploy central forces for the June two parliamentary by-polls in the Hamirpur constituency in order to ensure free and fair elections.

Since the police force is under State Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, who is also the state's Home Minister, it is necessary to deploy central forces in the constituency, Party State General Secretary Khushi Ram Balnatha said in his letter to the CEC, copies of which were released to the press here.

Referring to a meeting between State Revenue Minister Rangila Ram Rao and Kinnuar SP Praful Dutt Prasad at a rest house in Bilaspur today, he said the CEC should question the reasons for his entry into the polling area and take suitable action against him.

Mr Balnatha accused several Congress Cabinet ministers of misusing their position for trying to influence the voters to seek their votes for the Congress candidate Forest Minister Ram Ral Thakur for the Hamirpur Lok Sabha by-polls.

Besides, the electronic voting machines (EVMs) being used in the elections should be kept in the safe custody of central police force, he said, adding that videography of all the booths during the polling should also be done.

Mr Balnatha alongwith party state secretary H N Kashyap called upon Chief Election Officer Manisha Nanda and urged her to take action against the Congress for violating the model code of conduct.

UNI