Patna, April 28 (IANS) As the second phase of the highly anticipated West Bengal Assembly elections approaches, BJP Bihar President Sanjay Saraogi on Tuesday backed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks, stating that the state is facing a difficult situation and that people are in distress under the Trinamool Congress government led by Mamata Banerjee.
Speaking to IANS, Saraogi said, “The Prime Minister has rightly pointed out that West Bengal is going through a challenging phase. The people of Bengal are in distress under the Trinamool Congress government led by Mamata Banerjee. Concerns have been raised regarding infiltration issues, which are believed to have impacted demographics and the distribution of resources. The Prime Minister’s appeal is also reflected in the public response during the first phase of elections, where voters were seen expressing anger and participating in large numbers.”
Meanwhile, campaigning for the second and final phase of the Assembly elections in West Bengal concluded on Monday. A total of 142 constituencies will go to the polls in this phase on April 29. The Assembly segments voting in this phase span eight electoral districts, including Kolkata North, Kolkata South, Howrah, Nadia, North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, Hooghly, and Purba Bardhaman.
Reacting to comments about RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, Saraogi said, “The people of Bihar have completely rejected him. He is now moving around different states, sometimes visiting Kerala and at other times West Bengal.”
On the deployment of an Uttar Pradesh Police encounter specialist during the West Bengal elections, Saraogi stated that the move falls within standard procedures followed by the Election Commission of India (ECI).
“As part of the election process, the Election Commission appoints observers from across the country. He is also an observer who is monitoring the situation on the ground. If any criminal activity is detected or if voters are threatened or intimidated, appropriate action will be taken,” he said.
Meanwhile, in an effort to ensure free and fair elections, the ECI has appointed Ajay Pal Sharma, a well-known Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, as a police observer ahead of the crucial second phase of polling. He has been assigned to South 24 Parganas, a district considered a stronghold of Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee.
Sharma, a 2011-batch IPS officer from the Uttar Pradesh cadre and a native of Ludhiana, is known for his tough policing style and professional track record. Over the years, he has been associated with several high-risk operations and is regarded as one of the more capable officers in the force.
–IANS
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