Kolkata, March 16 (IANS) A political controversy has erupted in West Bengal following the Election Commission of India’s announcement that the state will vote in all seven phases of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The decision has not gone down well with the Trinamool Congress, which was pushing for a single-phase poll.
Minister of State for Finance (independent charge) Chandrima Bhattacharya expressed disappointment over the decision, questioning the necessity of seven-phase polling in West Bengal when other big states are having elections in a single phase. She also raised concerns about the advantage multi-phase polling gives to financially affluent political parties.
According to Bhattacharya, multi-phase polling allows parties with more resources to influence voters through money power, while those with limited financial backing face challenges. In response, BJP Rajya Sabha member Samik Bhattacharya accused the ruling party of wanting single-phase polling to manipulate voters and ensure their ‘goons’ can deprive common voters of their rights.
Samik Bhattacharya pointed out that the higher deployment of Central Armed Police Forces in each constituency during multi-phase polling creates difficulties for the ruling party. He also mentioned the growing anxiety among Trinamool leaders due to the anticipated mass rejection in the elections.
CPI-M’s youth leader Sayandip Mitra acknowledged that seven-phase polling reflects poorly on West Bengal, but cited past instances of violence during elections as a reason for the decision. Mitra highlighted the need for ensuring peaceful elections in the state despite the challenges of conducting them in a single phase.
