As part of a BJP delegation, Railway Minister Piyush Goyal met with Election Commission officials on Monday, 20 May, to demand re-polling in the West Bengal Lok Sabha constituencies where violence had occurred.
Speaking to the media he said,
“We gave the Election Commission detailed information of the violence inflicted upon our workers. We reiterated our demand for re-poll for constituencies where violence occurred in 7th phase and earlier phases, particularly in West Bengal.”
Goyal also said that he believed that there was a possibility of violence due to Mamata Banejee’s constant threats against the BJP.
Earlier, on Wednesday, 15 May, Goyal had urged the Election Commission to take strong action against the West Bengal government on account of the violence allegedly caused by the Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers during Amit Shah’s roadshow in Kolkata.
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday, 19 May, had demanded that the CRPF remain in West Bengal till the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) lapses, alleging that TMC workers will instigate violence, on Mamata Banerjee’s directive, after the polling ends. She further called for the Election Commission to take cognisance of the alleged violence that the TMC has been causing in the state.
Violence in West Bengal between the TMC and the BJP was especially pronounced during the 7th and final phase of the Lok Sabha elections.
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