Newtown, February 28: In a stark warning ahead of West Bengal’s upcoming assembly elections, BJP leader Dilip Ghosh has emphasized the critical need for central forces to ensure peaceful polling. Speaking amid rising tensions around the Sandeshkhali incidents, Ghosh asserted that without deploying central paramilitary troops, the Election Commission would face immense challenges in conducting fair elections.
Local villagers, according to Ghosh, are vocal about their fears. ‘People in every village are demanding central forces,’ he said. ‘Without them, voting won’t happen properly, and even vote counting could be disrupted.’ He highlighted that central forces are routinely called in to create a secure electoral environment.
However, Ghosh stressed that mere deployment isn’t enough. ‘There must be strict movement control of these forces, strictly under the Election Commission’s oversight,’ he added, underscoring the need for impartial supervision.
Turning to the Trinamool Congress (TMC), Ghosh remarked on their candidate selections. He noted that loyalists like Rajeev Kumar, who stood by Mamata Banerjee during crises, were bound to be rewarded. On the BJP’s Parivartan Yatra, he lamented the state government’s denial of permissions, a pattern seen before. ‘The yatra will proceed based on court orders,’ he affirmed.
Ghosh had announced the yatra a day earlier, with senior BJP leaders participating. He accused forces of destabilizing Bengal through abductions and bomb threats, aimed at intimidating voters. ‘The state government must ensure public safety,’ he demanded.
Union Minister Shantanu Thakur echoed similar sentiments on the Sandeshkhali row, claiming TMC leaders are gripped by fear. ‘Whether CM, MPs, or MLAs, they’re all terrified and seeing negativity everywhere,’ Thakur said.