Assam Oppn for phased polls, fears Cong rigging

Opposition parties, including Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and BJP, have requested the Election Commission (EC) to conduct Assembly elections in...

Opposition parties, including Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and BJP, have requested the Election Commission (EC) to conduct Assembly elections in four phases in order to to prevent the ruling Congress from using unfair means.

Leading the campaign is the AGP, whose members submitted a memo in this connection with CEC BB Tandon.

Phased polls would facilitate movement of security forces and stop rigging, booth-capturing, snatching of EVMs, the memo said, adding that the Congress was infamous for using money and muscle powers.

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The Congress government had already used unfair practices by not transferring some officials for over four years, and allowing others to remain in their hometowns in violation of the EC guidelines, it said.

“Rigging is Congress trademark and it will do it as the party is sure to lose,” said BJP spokesman Ashok Singhal.

The Congress wants a single-day polling in contrast to its Left allies, which favour phased elections.

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