Vajpayee finds Cong and ‘fascist Left’ two sides of

Vajpayee asked: Does one have free and fair polls in Bengal? Does the ruling party use official machinery? Is there intimidation of voters? He said several parties have complained to the Election Commission about these fears.

The PM then exhorted the crowd to overcome such hurdles and exercise their right to franchise. ‘‘In Jammu and Kashmir, people have braved bullets to cast their ballots. This is what is called democracy and the people of Bengal must uphold democratic values whatever may be the cost,’’ he said.

The violence in Chapra also found a mention in his speech, with the PM alleging that the poll process had been subverted there. ‘‘I do not know what the Election Commission will decide about Chapra, but there are documentary evidence about all these (booth capture, violence),’’ he asserted. In West Bengal too, such things happen, he added.

Vajpayee went on to refer to the violence over the Himayat Committee meeting in Kolkata recently. ‘‘The meeting was not allowed to be held, speakers were not allowed to express their opinion. Why should such a meeting be stopped,’’ he asked.

The PM said the Communists have not been able to expand their base beyond Bengal, Kerala and Tripura because the people have recognised their ‘‘real face’’. ‘‘The path the Communists have chosen is a path of vinash),’’ he added.