TMC complains to EC about central forces, BJP leaders

Kolkata, May 13 (IANS) A Trinamool Congress (TMC) delegation, here on Monday, met Deputy Election Commissioner Sudeep Jain and sought action against the central forces for favouring a political party, as well as some Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidates for creating confusion among voters.

Jain is in the city to conduct a training session for poll officials ahead of the counting of votes on May 23.

The TMC delegation comprised Derek O'Brien, Shovandeb Chattopadhyay and Tapas Roy.

"The central forces are going into polling booths and some candidates, especially of the BJP, are trying to create a scene because they have nothing on the ground," O'Brien told reporters after the meeting.

"The central forces are speaking on behalf of a particular political party and urging people to vote for it," said the TMC chief spokesperson.

O'Brien named the BJP's Asansol candidate Babul Supriyo and Ghatal nominee Bharati Ghosh as candidates for creating the confusion.

"The TMC as a political party and the state police have been restrained. Otherwise, things could have gone totally out of control after six phases of polling. But the TMC has people's support, we do not need to create disturbances," O'Brien said.

He said, "More forces are being deployed to create pressure on Bengal. We have no problem with the presence of central forces as they are doing their job, but the way they are being instructed is dangerous."

On the role played by the Election Commission (EC), O'Brien said, "The TMC gives due respect to all the institutions, unlike the present central government. Had the present government respected institutions, it wouldn't have announced demonetisation of currency without discussing it with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)."