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Trinamool
man quits Keshpur contest over ‘CPM violence’
Santanu
Banerjee
Kolkata,
May 8:
Keshpur's Trinamool Congress candidate Rajani Kanta Doloi on Monday
made public his desire to opt out of the race in ‘‘protest
against repression unleashed by the CPI(M)’’.
His fax to Chief Election Commissioner M.S. Gill has added a twist
to the poll campaign in troubled Keshpur. According to Chief Electoral
officer Sabyasachi Sen, Doloi can’t technically withdraw.
Doloi’s
fax read: More than 1,000 Trinamool men...ousted from their homes
are still in the relief camps of Debra and Midna-pore...the CPI(M)
cadres in collusion with the police have been following the path
of violence...’’
Doloi alleged
he had complained to Election Commission and the observer ‘‘but
to no effect’’. His party is unable to campaign. Under
such conditions, ‘‘how will people exercise their franchise?’’
he said. So, he ‘‘can’t help withdrawing from the
election fray’’. But Doloi apparently has no way out.
Sen said: ‘‘Technically, his name will remain in the ballot
because we have no provision to do otherwise once the official deadline
for withdrawal is over.’’
On redressal
for Doloi’s complaints, Sen said on Monday evening that the
Midnapore district magistrate had assured the Trinamool candidate
of measures to help his party supporters return home. Sen denied
getting any fax from Doloi.
The Trinamool
candidate’s move has embarrassed the district administration
and ruling CPI(M) in the state. CPI(M) candidate from Keshpur Nandarani
Dal said: ‘‘If he was so keen to withdraw, he should have
quit on April 26. Instead, he’s doing this drama that doesn’t
convince anybody.’’
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