Daijiworld Media Network - Kolkata
Kolkata, Oct 4: The CPI(M) has accused BJP workers of attacking and vandalising its party office in North Bengal, a day after the Left party held a protest march demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.
The incident took place on Saturday night in the Jorpatki area of Mathabhanga No. I Block in Cooch Behar district.
According to the CPI(M), its Jorpatki Area Committee had organised a protest march in the Golakganj Bazar area, raising several demands, including the removal and “punishment” of the CEC, immediate inclusion of eligible voters’ names in the electoral rolls, payment of financial assistance to those yet to be covered under the Annapurna Yojana and steps to control rising prices of essential commodities.
The party alleged on Sunday that a few hours after the march ended, its office was attacked and vandalised. Items kept inside the office were also allegedly damaged.
Police said no written complaint has been received so far regarding the alleged attack or vandalism and added that an investigation would be conducted after a complaint is filed.
CPI(M) district committee member Moksedul Islam said protest marches were being organised at various places demanding the removal and punishment of CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
“Similarly, a procession was held in Golakganj Bazar with the police's permission. The protest procession also demanded the immediate registration of legal voters on the electoral list, the registration of names of those not yet included in the Annapurna Yojana, the payment of Rs 3,000 per month to women, and controlling rising commodity prices,” he said.
Islam said that after the procession, party workers gathered at the CPI(M) office and held discussions for around an hour before returning home.
“The office was locked after everyone returned home. But a few hours later, the BJP attacked it,” he alleged.
He further said, “In West Bengal, instead of establishing the rule of law, they are trying to establish rule by the ruler. If they think that the red flag will be folded if they attack the workers, attack the party office, and vandalise it, then they are making a big mistake. A complaint will be filed in this incident.”
The BJP, however, denied the allegations.
BJP district committee member and former president of BJP Mandal No. 2, Rajib Sarkar, said he had heard that the CPI(M) office was vandalised but denied any involvement of BJP workers.
“I have heard that the CPI(M) party office was vandalised. However, no one from the BJP is involved in this incident. If the CPI(M)'s party office were to be vandalised, then the BJP would not have had to wait five months after the formation of the government. BJP opposes all these wild allegations. People voted for the BJP to come to power to change these things,” he said.