Rudy calls for Chapra repoll

The BJP today called for countermanding of the polls in Chapra, alleging massive booth capturing by the RJD. BJP candidate and Civil Aviation Minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy said 40 per cent of the booths had been captured by rival Laloo Prasad Yadav’s supporters as security was lax. ‘‘Countermanding of elections and holding of fresh polls is in the interest of democracy,’’ BJP chief Venkaiah Naidu said.

In a letter to the CEC, Rudy said only 20 per cent of the 800 booths identified as sensitive by the EC had security cover. ‘‘Under these circumstances, for the election to be free and fair, there must be re-polling in all booths under adequate security deployment,’’ Rudy said, adding that Laloo’s brother-in-law Subash Yadav, ministers Udit Rai and Chandrika Rai had interfered in the polling in connivance with officials.

The RJD dismissed the allegations as a ‘‘sign of Rudy’s frustration’’. The party, in turn, alleged that the Union Home Ministry had hatched a conspiracy to intimidate its voters through personnel of the central paramilitary force. Law Minister Shakeel Ahmad said the CISF and CRPF contingents in many places did not allow the RJD’s Muslim and Dalit voters to vote. ‘‘The Commission must ensure that the central forces do not overstep their brief,’’ he said. ‘‘There is no justification for the demand for cancellation of the elections. Out of fear of certain defeat of its candidate, the BJP is making a desperate bid to get the elections countermanded.’’