With the CPI(M) having claimed that the party could not field candidates in 6000 seats in the panchayat polls beginning July 11, the party today asked people to vote for 'genuine independents' at places it could not put up nominees.
"There are several places where we could not field our candidates. In some places there are genuine independents, which means that people who are not associated with any party but work for the development of the masses. So in such cases we appeal that such genuine independents be supported," CPI(M) state secretary, Biman Bose told a press conference here.
Asked if he was asking for support to independents who had earlier belonged to the Congress, Trinamool Congress and BJP, Bose said, "No, such a question doesn't arise. These independents who earlier had party colours, entered the poll fray after being denied tickets."
Bose, the Left Front chairman also criticised West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Trinamool Congress ministers for issuing threats and making derogatory statements against the SEC, with which the state government has an uneasy relation over the holding of panchayat polls.
"The panchayat polls are being held during the monsoons in the month of Ramzan only because of the ego-centric attitude of the state government," Bose said.
"In democracy such words should not be used against a constitutional body," he added.
