UP Panchayat elections can't be fair under SP govt: BSP

Lucknow , Sep 3: Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) on Thursday expressed doubts over fair conduct of the upcoming Panchayat elections in the state, in the wake of "pressure by the ruling party's muscle power".

Apprehending violence in the Panchayat elections, BSP said that police will not be able to discharge their duties impartially under the "goonda elements" of Samajwadi Party.

"We know that impartial Panchayat elections are not possible under the Samajwadi Party government due to the dismal law and order and anarchy in the state. There is apprehension that they (elections) might not be just and would be violent," a BSP release issued here said.

Citing the issues discussed in the review meeting of party zonal coordinators here, BSP said that it was also felt that in the absence of central forces, the elections would become the battleground of Samajwadi Party's goonda elements and musclemen. The Panchayat elections are slated for later this year.

PTI