Kolkata: The Congress on Friday accused the Trinamool Congress-led West Bengal government of seeking to prevent the deployment of central paramilitary forces for the upcoming panchayat elections as it will hinder its intention of "slaughtering democracy".
"It is not possible to slaughter democracy in presence of the central forces which they (Trinamool) intend to do. So, they are trying to avoid their deployment," state Congress president Pradip Bhattacharya said here.
He said that despite the central government assuring the availability of the paramilitary force, the state has not responded back with its requirement.
"The union home minister (Sushilkumar Shinde) has told Banerjee the centre was ready to provide the forces and sought details from her about the requirement. But the attitude of the government is as if they don`t need the central forces," said Bhattacharya.
Citing examples of attacks on his party leaders and workers across the state in the wake of the rural polls, he asked the State Election Commission (SEC) to look into the matter.
"We demand the SEC to make security arrangements, as without it free and fair polls cannot be conducted," he said.
He said in recent past, many Congress leaders were attacked as some political parties do not like it that the Congress is standing to safeguard democracy in the state.
Bhattacharya said he will submit a letter to the SEC complaining about the violence unleashed on his party members.
IANS
