Chidambaram violating code of conduct in WB: CPI(M) to EC

[1]

In a complaint to the Election Commission, CPI(M) on Wednesday alleged that Union home minister P. Chidambaram and his ministry were trying to "portray" the Left Front as "aggressor" in West Bengal, thereby violating the model code of conduct in place in the state.

The party petitioned to the Commission that statements being made by Chidambaram during the course of the campaign for the ongoing Assembly elections are tantamount to influencing the voters.

Accusing the home ministry of "selectively leaking" data regarding political killings in the state, CPI(M) Politburo member Sitaram Yechury who met Chief Election Commissioner S.Y. Quraishi sought action against the ministry of home affairs for "violating the model code of conduct."

He cited media reports quoting home ministry officials as claiming that at least 24 people, half of them belonging to the Trinamool Congress, were killed in poll-related violence in the state since the election process began last month.

"We feel it is a violation of the code of conduct. The selective leakage of such data by the Union home ministry is to portray the Left Front as the aggressor in the state," Yechury told reporters here.

Yechury said the home ministry's "selective leakage" came even as its own data clearly states that nearly 380 Left Front workers have been killed by the Trinamool Congress-Maoist combine in the state since the 2009 Lok Sabha polls.

The senior party leader said he also raised the issue of use of black money by the Trinamool Congress in the elections.

He said the Commission had earlier assured the party that they would investigate the issue if it is provided with more evidence.

"We have given evidence (about the blackmoney) to the commission. I requested the Commission that on the basis of earlier assurances, they should immediately investigate (it)," Yechury said.

The party also raised apprehensions about violence by the Opposition in the state during the remaining three phases of polling and sought the Commission's intervention.

Yechury said he reminded the Commission about the apprehension raised by the party, particularly in the East Midnapore district, and demanded that the EC keep its word that the pending 175 non-bailable warrants in the district would be reduced to zero.