Sting video: Cong approaches EC for cancellation of TMC's recognition

New Delhi: Congress on Wednesday approached Election Commission demanding cancellation of the recognition of Trinamool Congress in view of a sting video in which a TMC candidate is purportedly seen as accepting working closely with syndicate mafia in West Bengal where assembly polls are underway.

Noting that the media has highlighted the "role" of the Syndicate in sudden fall of Kolkata flyover recently, the AICC legal department secretary K C Mittal wrote to Chief Election Commissioner Naseem Zaidi, drawing his attention to a sting operation on a TMC candidate in which he allegedly said that most of the money required to fight assembly elections comes from syndicates.

In the complaint sent through e-mail, Mittal referred to the purported conversation in the sting operation and said, "the revelation by the media discloses a shocking state of affairs and it will substantially affect the conduct of polls.

"This involves the commission of various criminal and electoral offences, apart from the violations of the Provisions of Representation of People Act."

Urging the EC to "immediately requisition" the video footage of the sting, Mittal said, "keeping in view the gravity of the allegations, it would also be appropriate to cancel recognition of TMC under the Election Symbol (Representation and Allotment) Order, 1968 and take further action as may be considered appropriate."