West Bengal elections: Assured of win, CPM, Cong laud voters for ‘braving’ TMC might

The Indian Express

SHARE

Goa: MLA booked for alleged rape of minor girl

Bihar claims steep decline in murders, rapes post booze ban

As the long-drawn six-phase Assembly elections concluded on Thursday, CPM state secretary Surjya Kanta Mishra said they were confident of securing over 200 seats and applauded the people of Bengal for “braving the reign of terror unleashed by the Trinamool Congress”.

“I appreciate the people who had braved a war against the threats of TMC to cast their votes. Our alliance (with the Congress) is that of the people and not dependent on muscle power like that of TMC. We will come to power hitting a double century,” Mishra said.

Alleging that several workers of the party and their houses have been attacked by “goons” of TMC, he said, “This is part of the post-poll violence that TMC has let loose on workers of CPM and opposition parties... They (TMC) are so inhuman that they are even attacking small kids. This is barbaric. For the last few days they have been indulging in post-poll violence, especially in Jadavpur, Kasba, Behala and other parts of the city.”

While praising the role of the Election Commission and central security force, Mishra urged people to exercise restraint against the ruling party. “Don’t fall for provocations by the TMC, and in case of any attack, (we would ensure) there is a united resistance,” he said, adding that whatever the verdict on May 19, the party would gracefully accept it.

Mishra had earlier alleged that TMC candidate from Nandigram Suvendu Adhikari had conducted a meeting with several officers in-charge of different police stations in the district ahead of today’s polling. The EC, however, ruled out that any such meeting had taken place. Following this, Adhikari said he will move court against Mishra.

© express news service We will come to power hitting a double century,” Surjya kanta Mishra said. (Express Archive)

“We are happy to prepare for a legal battle. The EC would also be made a party to it and I will get a chance to seek an explanation from them as well,” Mishra told reporters here.

Denying Mishra’s charges, TMC secretary general Partha Chatterjee said CPM and its ally, the Congress, have been lodging false complaints. “In spite of all the conspiracies against TMC jointly conducted by the so-called alliance along with the EC and police, people have voted for Mamata Banerjee and it is only a matter of time when TMC will form the next government and all those who had tried to malign the government would be stopped,” said Chatterjee.

Meanwhile, state Congress president Adhir Chowdhury said on Thursday that the Election Commission had played a commendable role in conducting polls. “We are pleased at the way the EC had conducted the election. No one can say that there had been complete rigging or vote loot,” he said, adding, “However, in East Medinipur, there were many booths where the CPM-Congress alliance candidates could not place their agents. That should have been ensured.”

WATCH INDIAN EXPRESS VIDEOS HERE