PANCHAYAT ELECTION

GCDP's conscience vote call

COOCH BEHAR, May 2: The Greater Cooch Behar Democratic party (GCDP) wants people to cast votes against the CPI-M candidates following their conscience. GCDP is in favour of conscience-vote at the places they were not able to field candidates.

It was learnt that the GCDP and its allies fielded 526 candidates in 1,668 Gram Panchayat seats and 128 candidates in 353 Panchayat Samiti seats. They also fielded 25 candidates in 29 Zilla Parishad seats.

GCDP president Mr Ashutosh Barma alleged that at several places the CPI-M forced their candidates to stay away from the poll fray. Coercing and threatening being done to weaken the morale of GCDP supporters, he alleged. For these reasons they were not able to field candidates in several seats in blocks like Mathabhanga, Sitalkuchi and Mekhliganj.

The GCDP president said they would organise a massive rally in association with Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha at Dinhata on 4 May. GJMM supremo Mr Bimal Gurung is expected to attend the rally as one of the chief speakers. []

Trinamul to play '100-day job scheme' card

COOCH BEHAR, May 2: The Trinamul Congress demanded deployment of paramilitary forces in all polling booths to ensure peaceful polling. In absence of paramilitary forces the CPI-M men may capture the booths, Trinamul leaders fear.

During campaign the Trinamul Congress is emphasising on the corrupt practices in implementing schemes under NREGA. The vice-president of Cooch Behar district Trinamul Congress, Mr Niranjan Dutta alleged that the CPI-M is practicing corruption and nepotism over issuing of job cards. In 128 Gram Panchayat areas nowhere work was done more than 14 days. There is no dearth of money but what they did with the fund for the remaining 86 days, he questioned. The CPI-M is trying to use the NREGA as a weapon to pull votes in favour of their candidates, he opined.

As a precondition for a peaceful polling the administration should ensure a healthy environment. But in villages like Nakkatigachh, Falimari, Rampur and elsewhere the CPI-M goons unleashed a reign of terror. The administration and the police never act following complaints because they are under control of CPI-M leadership, Mr Dutta alleged. Due to CPI-M's atrocities the Trinamul Congress failed to field candidates in several areas. Those who filed nominations are also under threat, he complained.

The Trinamul leader said they fielded candidates in 909 Gram Panchayat seats, 212 Panchayat Samiti seats and 28 Zilla Parishad seats. He hoped that the Trinamul Congress has a good prospect at Tufanganj, Mathabhanga and Dinhata. The candidates who are fighting against the CPI-M candidates have every chance to win. People are aggrieved with the happenings in Nandigram, law and order situation and corruption in rationing system. Inaction to protect villagers from floods and river erosion and failure to construct and maintain roads and bridges are also going against the ruling CPI-M, he believes.

The Trinamul leader, Mr Dutta said they are asking voters in the areas where they failed to field candidates to vote against the CPI-M because anti-CPI-M candidates have a good prospect to win. []

PHOTO : Cooch Behar District Trinamul Congress vice-president Mr Niranjan Dutta. – DB