‘A civilisational battle’: BJP, DMK, AIADMK, Congress welcome EC’s poll dates announcement for 4 states, one UT; TMC questions move | India News
New Delhi: Political parties on Sunday welcomed the Election Commission’s announcement of election dates for 4 states and one union territory. West Bengal will vote in two phases starting April 23, Kerala, Assam and Puducherry on April 9 and Tamil Nadu on April 23; All results will be declared on May 4.In 2021, West Bengal went to polls in eight phases and Assam in three phases. Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry may have single-phase polls, while West Bengal and Assam may have multiple phases due to larger electorates.
Welcoming the EC’s move to conduct the Bengal elections in two phases, the West Bengal unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party termed it a “war of civilisations”. The Congress too welcomed the EC’s move to conduct elections in 2 phases in the state, but the TMC said the number of phases is only a “reflection of what the BJP wants”.
The poll panel had earlier announced that West Bengal’s 294-seat assembly elections would be held in two phases on April 23 and April 29, with counting of votes scheduled on May 4.Political parties in Tamil Nadu, including the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), the main opposition All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and others welcomed the EC’s announcement to conduct single-phase polls in the state.
How did the BJP react?
Welcoming the move, the BJP said it was confident of winning the West Bengal elections as “the countdown to the end of Mahajangal Raj has begun”, referring to the TMC government in the state.“This is not just an election, it is a battle of civilisations. On April 23 and 29, the people of West Bengal will cast their votes in two phases to reclaim their future. The countdown to the end of Mahajangal Raj has begun. 50 days to go – May 4 will mark a new dawn for Bengal,” said the Bengal Post Unit at X-A of Bengal.
How TMC reacted
The All India Trinamool Congress rejected the EC’s decision to conduct Bengal’s elections in two phases, alleging that the election schedule was decided “based on the needs of its political masters”.The party also questioned what it termed the “duplicity” of the commission, pointing out that the 2021 assembly elections in the state were held in eight phases despite high Covid-19 infections, while the upcoming elections were limited to only two phases.“The number of phases is only a reflection of what the BJP wants and the Election Commission is only following the requirements of its political masters,” said TMC spokesperson, Arup Chakraborty.“Otherwise, how can anyone justify conducting eight-phase elections in the state in 2021 when people were dying of Covid infection and now decide to hold two-phase elections when there is no such bug. No matter the number of votes, people will destroy the BJP regardless,” Chakraborty added.
How did Congress respond?
The Congress welcomed the EC’s announcement that Assam, Kerala, Puducherry and Tamil Nadu will hold elections in one phase and West Bengal in two phases.“I welcome the announcement that elections will be held in one phase in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry and Tamil Nadu and in two phases in West Bengal. I am happy that the number of phases has been reduced to one phase/two phases,” P Chidambaram said in a social media post. Senior Congress leader Pradeep Bhattacharya has welcomed the decision to conduct assembly elections in West Bengal in two phases, but expressed concern over whether voters will be able to exercise their franchise freely and without fear.The former West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee chief said he raised the issue of voter intimidation while talking to the full bench. Election Commission of India During his recent visit to the state.“I welcome the Election Commission’s move to hold two-phase elections in West Bengal. But my only concern is that voters can cast their votes freely and without any fear,” Bhattacharya told PTI. “I have seen many elections when voters could not cast their votes when there were six or seven phases,” he added.
How DMK, AIADMK reacted
The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the main opposition All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), along with other political parties in Tamil Nadu, on Sunday welcomed the announcement of the assembly election schedule by the Election Commission of India and expressed confidence of winning the April 23 polls.A functionary of the DMK, Salem Dharanidharan said that since party president and Chief Minister MK Stalin took charge, his focus has been on governance and public welfare, adding that the state government’s schemes are now being replicated across the country.He also said that the party’s preparations for the elections began effectively from the day Stalin took over as chief minister. “This will ensure a massive victory for DMK in the polls A broom will; Won more than 200 seats out of 234,” he said.Meanwhile, AIADMK spokesperson Kovai Sathyan said, “Our party chief Edappadi K. Palaniswami has already campaigned in around 200 constituencies. We are ready to face the election tomorrow as well and we will win whenever it is held.” He added that people were supporting the AIADM and expressed confidence that the party and its allies in the National Democratic Alliance — including Bharatiya Janata Party, Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam and Pattali Makkal Katchi — would score a big victory and form the next government in the state.
