Governor’s photograph in BJP campaign booklet irks CPI(M)
After complaining about a movie earlier, the ruling CPI(M) in Tripura on Tuesday lodged a complaint with the Election Commission over publication of a picture of governor Tathagata Roy in a BJP campaign booklet.
The party said the poll panel should inform President Ram Nath Kovind about the development and seek clarification on the “governor’s role in politics.”
“The governor may have been associated with a political party before he assumed the post. But after holding a constitutional post, he should refrain from electoral politics,” said CPI (M) secretary Bijan Dhar.
The booklet titled Saptam Betan Commission Keno Chai ( Why do we want Seventh Pay Commission), contained Roy’s picture with other state BJP leaders on the front page. Dhar demanded that the EC ban the booklet and seize all the copies distributed among people.
He also alleged that more than 100 activists of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) from outside the state were camping in the state, though they are not taking part in the campaigning.
“These people might have criminal records and pose threat to peaceful elections. We
AGARTALA: The governor may have been associated with a political party before he assumed the post.
But after holding a constitutional post, he should refrain from electoral politics.
BIJAN DHAR, CPI (M) secretary
requested the EC to look into the matter seriously,” he said. Polling will be held in the northeastern state on February 18.
The BJP said the picture had nothing to do with politics and was clicked when a party delegation submitted a memorandum to the governor prior to poll announcement.
“The BJP struggled a lot for implementation of the Seventh Pay Commission in Tripura. The picture in question was pertaining to a memorandum we had submitted to the governor before declaration of elections,” said BJP spokesperson Mrinal Kanti Deb.
The CPI(M) had earlier filed a complaint with the EC about a Hindi movie — Lal Sarkar — alleging that it depicts rapes and murders and brands its party workers as the perpetrators. “The movie’s trailer is a BJP conspiracy to malign CPI(M). It has no relation with facts,” said Dhar.
“We complained to the EC to take steps to stop such campaigning and take action against them for using this video for electoral gains,” he added.
The Left Front headed by chief minister Manik Sarkar and the BJP have also been trading charges over a book, Manik Rajar Deshe. The book talks of inefficiency and corruption in the Sarkar-led government, which has been in power since 1998.