Rudy wants EC to look into Mamata's remark on Central forces

Kolkata: Union Minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy on Sunday said the Election Commission should look into West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's comment that Central forces would be there for three days only, but the state government would provide security for the whole year.

"If Mamata didi has said this, then the Election Commission should take note of it, there should be free and fair elections," Rudy told newspersons here.

He said this when asked about the Trinamool Congress supremo's comment aired in an interview to a private television channel last Friday on the Election Commission's assurance of foolproof security by using Central forces for the Assembly election in the state.

"With the election being announced, the Election Commission is in charge. The Centre will provide all support to the Commission in its efforts to ensure a free and fair poll," the Union Minister for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship said.

"West Bengal has a history of electoral violence and the Left, Congress and Trinamool Congress all have a role in it," Rudy said adding that the Commission should take care to make it a violence-free election, which will be held in the state in six phases from April 4.

Speaking on state BJP president Dilip Ghose's reported unsavoury comments on different issues including one about those uttering anti-national remarks, he said, "In politics, one should refrain from making any statement or use language which is not desirable."

He, however, said that no action would be taken against Ghose. "No action. He is a mature political individual. It is desirable that restraint should be exercised."