As the first phase of elections starts today an alleged audio clip of a TMC leader named Khokon Miyan, President Cooch Behar Block No 1, has gone viral in which he is instructing his cadres to ensure 100% votes in favour of the party, as reported by DNA India. Miyan is heard warning the voters not to vote for any other party. The clip has been submitted by the BJP to the Election Commission demanding appropriate action.
“It is clear what Khokon Miyan wants in the instructions given in their party meeting. But such ploys will not be successful as people will stop them”, said BJP leader Utpal Kumar Deb.
Miyan is heard saying in the alleged leaked audio that the party has directed that no other party should get any votes and that those trying to vote for any other party will be identified. “TMC has to get 100% votes, no other parties should get a vote. He says that if someone tries to vote for any other party, they will be identified. This is the party’s direction”, he said.
He further added that Central Forces will be present only on 40 booths out of a total of 100 and that all the government employees are under his control. He said, “From police to BDO, all are under our control. They may be government employees, but they are under me”. Calling the elections a tough battle in the Cooch Behar constituency, he urged the booth workers to do some “setting” with the presiding officers if required but make sure that all the booths are covered. He also advised the workers on rigging the votes.
There were reports of rampant poll malpractice and violence in West Bengal earlier in the day. People were also reportedly scared of voting remembering the violence that was carried out by the TMC goons during last year’s Assembly elections. The BJP had alleged that TMC agents were present on polling booths in violation of the rules and that BJP agents were threatened and their houses were attacked the previous night.
Shockingly, a few days ago TMC leader Anubrata Monal had openly appealed to the Election Commission officials to allow people to rig the polls by managing 500-600 votes per booth.
