Congress, Trinamool seek deferment of bypoll during Bharat bandh

Both the Congress and Trinamool Congress today sought deferment of tomorrow's by-election to the Durgapur-I assembly constituency in view of the nation-wide bandh called by the Left and non-Congress parties against the hike in fuel prices.

Newly-appointed WBPCC chief Manas Bhuinya said in a letter to chief election commissioner Navin Chawla, "It is my sincere appeal to you to intervene immediately and kindly consider deferring the by-election to the Durgapur-I assembly constituency from July 5 to any other convenient day as early as possible."

Stating that voters in the constituency would face difficulties in reaching polling stations on account of the bandh, Bhuinya expressed surprise that state chief electoral officer Sunil Gupta had not drawn the CEC's attention to it.

He apprehended that the police and administration would 'directly or indirectly help the CPI(M) to win'.

The Congress has fielded a retired industry worker Bansi Badan Karmakar for the Durgapur-I seat. His candidature is being supported by the Trinamool Congress.

Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee said that election should not take place tomorrow in such a situation.

"The Election Commission should have conducted the assembly by-election in a normal situation allowing people to cast their votes freely without any tension," Banerjee said.

The assembly constituency has been been kept outside the purview of the bandh.