Cong wants Nandigram elections put off

Wed, May 7 01:48 AM

The CPI(M)-led Left Front government got a broadside from one of its Congress "friends" in the UPA government at the Centre over the violence that is engulfing Nandigram once again.

Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi, the West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee who is also the Union information and broadcasting minister, on Tuesday demanded the postponement of the three-tier panchayat elections in Nandigram I block scheduled on May 11 following the violence in the area over the past four days.

"People have been forced to flee their homes, candidates are getting threats from the ruling party and voting cannot be held in such a situation," said Dasmunsi, considered one of the Left Front's friends at the Centre.

"What is happening at Nandigram in the name of election is a farce. There is bloodshed. In this situation the panchayat poll in Nandigram should be postponed," said Dasmunsi.

He said the state government would be responsible if law and order deteriorates in the area during polling.

The minister said he has apprised Union home minister Shivraj Patil about the situation.

Dasmunsi said he had urged state election commissioner Ashok Gupta to defer the rural polls at Nandigram considering the situation there. He appealed to all Opposition parties to support the Congress demand for postponement.

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 at Nandigram to decide when the election could be held there.

The state election commission should decide a fresh date for the election at Nandigram, he added.

Stating what was happening at Nandigram was 'state-sponsored terrorism', Dasmunsi alleged that opposition party workers were being 'forced to change their allegiance' by the CPI(M).

Dasmunsi also demanded that the state government should take immediate measures to restore peace at the trouble spot in East Midnapore district.

The PCC president said that he would write to the state election commission, the state government and Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi seeking postponement of the elections.

Dasmunsi exhorted partymen to vote for Trinamool Congress or other Opposition parties in seats the party was not present.

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