Huge demands to for cancellation of Bhabanipur bypoll after Dilip Ghosh Heckled in Bhabanipur

West Bengal: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday hit out at the Trinamool Congress over the alleged attack on its senior leader Dilip Ghosh and alleged that Trinamool workers were involved in state-sponsored violence. Angered by the whole incident, BJP's National Vice President Dilip Ghosh says that if we cannot campaign, then there is no point in holding by-elections here. He has demanded the Election Commission to cancel the Bhabanipur by-election.

The Election Commission(EC) on Monday sought an urgent report from the West Bengal government after a scuffle between Trinamool and BJP supporters around former state BJP chief Dilip Ghosh near Jadubabur Bazar here on the last day of campaigning for the Bhowanipore bypoll.

The BJP leader said that the Election Commission knows everything. We have complained to them several times in Delhi and Kolkata. Despite this, no security arrangements were made. If we cannot reach out to the voters, there is no point in holding elections. The people here are living in constant fear.

The BJP has been campaigning aggressively in Bhabanipur and has fielded Priyanka Tibrewal against Mamata Banerjee, who has to win this by-poll to stay Chief Minister.

On the other hand, BJP's chief spokesperson Anil Baluni said that the conduct of Trinamool Congress after the party's third consecutive victory in the recent assembly elections has put democracy to shame. Referring to the alleged misbehaviour with Ghosh by Trinamool workers, he said, "It is all watchable on television, and it is very disturbing. What happened has tarnished the image of democracy."

Rajya Sabha member Baluni said, "Trinamool is not giving equal opportunity to its rivals. Our leaders are not even being allowed to campaign as Trinamool goons are indulging in state-sponsored violence." He said that when a leader like Ghosh, who has been provided security, has to face such attacks, the condition of the common man can be imagined.

BJP national vice-president Ghosh was allegedly molested while ruling Trinamool workers shouted 'go back' slogans against party MP Arjun Singh when he campaigned for BJP candidate Priyanka Tibrewal from Bhabanipur assembly seat on the last day of campaigning. The BJP candidate is facing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in the by-elections for the Bhabanipur seat. Meanwhile, the Trinamool alleged that Ghosh's bodyguard had waved weapons to intimidate the crowd.