Parties complain about Trinamool's terror tactics

Kolkata, March 25 (IANS) The BJP, Congress and CPI-M Tuesday urged the Election Commission of India to ensure free and fair elections after accusing West Bengal's ruling Trinamool Congress of adopting "terror tactics" for the Lok Sabha polls.

Representatives of the political parties submitted detailed complaints about Trinamool's "intimidating ways to gain electoral benefits" to Deputy Election Commissioner Vinod Zutshi, who held an all-party meet here.

"We have appraised Zutshi about the deteriorating law and order situation in the state. Terror tactics are being applied by the Trinamool with an eye to the polls, much like during the Left Front rule," Congress leader Manas Bhuniya said after the meeting.

"We have given a detailed report about various incidents and urged the election commission to deploy sufficient numbers of central security forces for the election," he said.

Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leader Rabin Deb said the party has expressed dissatisfaction over the functioning of Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Sunil Gupta here.

"We told Zutshi about the inaction of the CEO. Zutshi said it was the CEO's prerogative to take action. We are satisfied with Zutshi's assurances for the free and fair elections," said Deb.

An election official has admitted the violation of the Model Code of Conduct on number of occasions in the state and the panel has been receiving at least 20 such complaints daily.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state president Rahul Sinha proposed live telecast of polling from sensitive booths.

Zutsi will meet all district magistrates and police superintendents to review poll preparations, including those relating to law and order.