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TMC is responsible for violence in panchayat polls: Harsh Vardhan

Even as the legal battle over the panchayat elections is on, Union minister for science and technology, Harsh Vardhan said…

TMC is responsible for violence in panchayat polls: Harsh Vardhan

Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan (Photo: PIB)

Even as the legal battle over the panchayat elections is on, Union minister for science and technology, Harsh Vardhan said on Wednesday, “The ruling Trinamul Congress is responsible for the violence in the run-up to the panchayat polls in the state which was unprecedented in the history of Indian elections”.

“I think violence over nomination filing is the most unfortunate and unprecedented incident in the history of Indian elections and one has not seen such highly sophisticated rigging before the commencement of the polls,” the minister said.

Meanwhile, both BJP and CPI-M have filed caveats in the Supreme Court in anticipation of the appeal of State Election Commission (SEC) in the apex court. The commission is likely to move the Supreme Court on Thursday challenging a Division Bench order of Calcutta High Court which upheld an appeal of CPI-M seeking confirmation of nomination of those nominees who have filed nominaiton by e-mail.

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It was learnt that SEC have moved Supreme Court during the day but have decided to file a fresh pettion after mistakes were detected in the application sought to be filed. A prayer will be made on Thursday for expeditious hearing of the matter.

Vardhan claimed that the Trinamul was “fooling the people of West Bengal” and said “it’s time Bengal started realising that there is one alternative for them – the BJP to ensure. better days ahead for them.”

Meanwhile, CPI-M state secretary, Dr Surjakanta Mishra said during the day. “The commission is acting at the behest of the state government which will be in trouble if the court’s order is implemented.”

Many of our supporters have been attacked since the pronouncement of the court’s order yesterday as it directs the commission to publish the names of those whose candidature sent by e-mail have been accepted, Dr Mishra said.

It seems that the names of these persons are also known to Trinamul, he alleged. The CPI-M is apprehending violence during the election day and the day of counting, Dr. Mishra said.

In a bid to cover up the undeclared alliance between Trinamul and BJP, some of the Trinamul leaders are floating a canard campaign alleging proximity between BJP and as a Ram-Bam combine which will not fool the voters, he felt.

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