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West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee chief, Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi, who is considered one of the Left Front’s friends at the Centre, today demanded the postponement of the three-tier panchayat elections in Nandigram I block scheduled for May 11 in the wake of violence that began in the area four days ago.
“People have been forced to flee their homes, candidates are getting threats from the ruling party. Voting cannot be held in such a situation,” Dasmunsi told mediapersons here. “What is happening in Nandigram in the name of election is a farce. There is bloodshed. In this situation the panchayat poll in Nandigram should be postponed,” he added. Stating that the state government should be held responsible in case law and order deteriorates in the area during polling, Dasmunsi said that he has urged state election commissioner Ashok Gupta to defer the rural polls in Nandigram. He also appealed to all the Opposition parties to support the Congress’ demand.
Dasmunsi said that he has already apprised Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil about the prevailing situation in Nandigram and would even write to Governor Gopal Krishna Gandhi for postponement of the elections. He said the state government should convene an all-party meeting after May 18, when panchayats poll in the rest of the state would be completed, for reviewing the situation in Nandigram and to decide the fresh dates for the election there.
Stating what was happening in Nandigram was ‘state-sponsored terrorism’, Dasmunsi alleged that opposition party workers were being ‘forced to change their allegiance’ by CPM workers. He also asked the state government to take immediate measures to restore peace in the area.
Central should take responsiblity: Mamata
Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee refuted Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi’s demand on Tuesday that panchayat elections in Nandigram should be deferred. “He is a Central minister and should take the responsibility of what is happening in Nandigram. The Central government cannot shirk the responsibility for the suffering of people there. We want elections to be held in peace and on time. It should not be deferred,” Banerjee said. She was speaking to mediapersons outside Raj Bhavan, where she along with a group of Trinamool leaders met Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi. “The Central government is not doing its duty, as it is dependent on the CPM for its existence. The Prime Minister cannot shirk his responsibility in this regard,” the Trinamool leader said.
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