80 per cent people cast vote in Haldia municipal poll

Haldia, July 22 (UNI) Barring a few minor incidents, the municipal poll in Haldia passed off peacefully today with about 80 per cent votes, Sub-Divisonal Officer Haldia Sankar Haldar said.

Both the CPI(M) and Trinamool Congress, however, have claimed that the large turnout might be in their favour.

Adequate security arrangements in front of booths and at every point of entry at Haldia ensured a safe and peacefull polling. Only five EVM's were declared ineffective, the SDO said.

However, more than 5000 person gathered near the banks of Haldi river at Nandigram shouting anti-CPI(M) slogans and urged the voters not to exercise their franchise to the Left Front candidates as they were responsible for the recent Nandigram massacre.

CPI(M) leader Laxman Seth and his wife Tamalika Seth, an MLA, along with the Haldia Municipality chairman have alleged that the demonstration by the villagers was unethical.

Talking to mediapersons Laxman Seth said the results of this municipal poll would prove whether the people were in favour of industrialisation.

Confident of their win in all the 26 wards of the municipality, Mr Seth said half of the work with regard to establishing a chemical hub in Haldia is complete with the setting up of so many chemical establishment including Haldia Petro-chemical.

''This mega project is only a question of time and that will come up after the left front wins the election here,'' he said.

Meanwhile, TMC leader Sisir Adhikary said the record turnout in this poll would prove people's dissatisfaction with the left's rule.

UNI