Democratic rights under threat in West Bengal, says Brinda Karat

Alleging that people's democratic rights were under "threat" in West Bengal, CPI-M Politburo member Brinda Karat on Saturday said there were "violence and rigging" in just-concluded civic polls in the state.

"The people's democratic rights are under threat in Bengal and have been taken away by the present Trinamool Congress government. This was clear during the municipality elections," Karat told reporters in Kolkata. Asked to comment on the recently concluded civic polls in the state, Karat said "There was violence and rigging during it".

She also accused the state government of setting a "record in gundaraj and lawlessness". "Earlier it used to be against political rivals like Left Front workers. But now it is against anybody who talks against the present government," she added. Karat further said that the people have started putting up "resistance against this" and it was reflected in the "success" of the general strike called by Left Front on April 30.