Trinamool unleashing silent terror, says CPI(M) local leaders

Nandigram, 6th January: The CPI(M) has accused the Trinamool of unleashing ‘silent terror’ among villagers in Nandigram. The party also admitted that they have little chance of winning the by-elections.

“How can we win the election in this situation? More than 3,000 of our supporters were not allowed to come out of their houses. Many were driven out of Nandigram,” said CPI(M) zonal secreatry of Nandigram Ashok Bera.

The CPI candidate for Nandigram, Paramananda Bharati alleged that their supporters were beaten up in Reyapara and Sonachura area and four of them had to be hospitalised. “Armed miscreants, supported by Trinamool, went from door-to-door in many areas and attacked our supporters. They were not allowed to cast their votes. Had they voted, the result would have been in our favour,” Bharati said.

CPI(M) leaders claimed that they have approached the Election Commission and the police with hundreds of such complaints on Monday, but no action has been taken yet. The CPI(M) also failed to post their polling agents at nearly 60 booths. At various booths in Jalpai, Hazrakata, Kendamari, Sonachura, Kalicharanpur, even CPI(M) cadres were absent. Booth camps were also not erected at many places.

“We could not put up the camps nor post our agents. Our cadres are afraid and no one wants to be posted at the booths,” said Harun-al-Rashid, CPI(M) former Gram Panchayet Upo-Pradhan of Jalpai. “At booth numbers 168 to 173, our supporters were not allowed to come out of their homes. At other booths, Trinamnool supporters snatched the voter-identity cards from our supporters,” said Bera. “ We have told the administration regarding this,” he added.

The Trinamool, however, alleged that the CPI(M) attempted to terrorise villagers. “CPM cadres have attacked and injured four of our supporters at Reyapara and assaulted many others at different places,” Trinamool leader and MLA from Contai (South) Suvendu Adhikari said. “They, however, could not muffle the voice of the people and now at the face of defeat they are making absurd allegations,” he added. Trinamool candidate Firoza Bibi said: “The Opposition tried to create disturbance but they could not do it due to the presence of the police. We will surely win the elections.”