TMC does not want rural poll, lest it loses: Buddhadeb

Says Left Front will emerge victorious if a free and fair poll is held

With uncertainty hanging over panchayat election in the state, former West Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee today said the Left Front would emerge victorious if a free and fair poll was held.

Addressing an election rally here, Bhattacharjee said the Trinamool Congress was aware of the fact and that is why it did not want panchayat election to take place, or even if it was held, it would try to win it by "hook or crook".

"People are frustrated with this government with no sign of development work anywhere and a total anarchy prevails in the state. But people will say the last word. They are ready to vote in our favour, if it is held freely and fairly," he said.

He attributed the TMC's tussle with the State Election Commission over the holding of the panchayat poll to its aversion to the rural poll taking place now.

"The ruling party either prefers panchayat election on its own terms or no election at all. But we need the election because people want to vote in our favour," Bhattacharjee said.

He said anticipating the fate, the TMC did not allow many LF candidates to file their nomination papers. The ruling party has won uncontested over 1,000 Gram Panchayat and over 150 Panchayat Samiti seats in Burdwan district through muscle power.

"But this can't continue for long. We have to resist it," he said.

Bhattacharjee said despite protests, the TMC was attacking opposition candidates and workers with the help of the government machinery and its "notorious Bike Brigade" in rural areas.