Amidst allegations and counter-allegations between TMC and BJP over rigging, booth capturing and electoral malpractices, voting went smoothly in Medinipur’s Nandigram seat. Both sides are playing their side of the story, with BJP candidate and Mamta’s former confidante Suvendu Adhikari alleging a conspiracy in the larger turn of events defining the situation on the ground.
If it were so, the Election Commission should have at least bothered to lend a patient audience to the grievances of functionaries and representatives of both parties. But no, they refused and rescued themselves by sitting silently over the scenes we saw on our screens this afternoon.
Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee was seen camping around polling booths taking feedback from her party’s poll observers and agents. As for Suvendu Adhikari, he was swinging into action over what he called the reckless heckling and intimidation of activists and cadres effectively engaged and involved with the saffron party in the state.
Free and fair elections in Bengal are practically impossible until the politicisation of central armed forces is not brought to a halt. The responsibility lies with the Centre for ensuring checks and balances.
Why is PM Modi so adamant about winning Bengal at a cost? Sounding like unpleasant music to our ears.