New Delhi, Apr 21: Stepping up its offensive against ruling Left Front in West Bengal on the issue of terrorising of Opposition candidates for Panchayat elections, the BJP today sought central intervention in the state if no fresh election process is initiated in areas where BJP and Trinamool nominees were prevented from filing nominations. "The Centre should ask the state government to take the necessary action or direct it to do so to ensure that elections to the Panchayat in the state are held in a free and fair manner," party spokesman V K Malhotra told reporters here. "It was a mockery of the election process in West Bengal," he said.

Malhotra alleged in Bihar ruling RJD was encouraging its supporters to wield lathis against BJP workers and now these parties were talking of other states like Uttar Pradesh.

He wondered how carrying of four-inch Trishuls was anti-national and criticised the Rajasthan government for banning it and arresting VHP leader Praveen Togadia while the state was not taking action against those wielding much more dangerous weapons. Bureau Report