CPI(M) Polit Bureau member, Nilotpal Basu, has written to the Chief Election Commissioner, Election Commission of India drawing his attention to (1) the appointment of BSF DG as special police observer for election to Parliament for the state of West Bengal and Jharkhand and (2) the speech of Tripura Chief Minister, Biplab deb. We are releasing the text of the letter for publication.
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Dear Shri Arora ji,
We are deeply disturbed by the report that the Election Commission of India has appointed BSF DG, K K Sharma, as the overall special police observer for the elections to the Parliament for the states of West Bengal and Jharkhand.
It has been widely reported that the DG, who has now retired, participated in a two-day event in Kolkata which was organized by Seemanta Chetna Manch, part of RSS-backed Seema Jagran Manch, a Pan India body which aims to instil `patriotism’ in the border areas across the country (a photograph of DD Sharma attending the event is attached herewith as annexure – 1). The ECI’s appointment, therefore, is patently questionable and would raise the question of political partisanship. We would, therefore, urge the Commission to reconsider and rescind this appointment forthwith.
We are also constrained to draw your attention to the video clipping of Shri Biplab Deb, Chief Minister of Tripura, where he clearly says that the elections to the two parliamentary seats from Tripura will be different from the past and implied a threat to the opposition of undermining the normal course. To add emphasis, he underlined that he was not just speaking in his enthusiasm, but in complete senses. A pen drive containing the video clipping is being attached as a supporting material.
This is a clear violation of misusing his office to threaten free, fair and peaceful polls and would warrant urgent remedial measures from the Election Commission.
Expecting your urgent response.
With regards,
Yours sincerely
Sd/-
(Nilotpal Basu)
Member, Polit Bureau