EC calls for FIR against Bharati Ghosh
Kolkata: The Election Commission has directed the district administration of West Midnapore to lodge an FIR against former IPS officer turned politician Bharati Ghosh, who is contesting from Ghatal on BJP's ticket, as she captured video on her mobile phone inside a polling booth.
The Commission has also sought a report from the district election officers on how Ghosh's security personnel went inside 100 meters of polling booth number 206/207 in Keshpur.
A security person of Ghosh shot at a Trinamool Congress supporter, identified as Bakhtiar Khan, on his leg at Dogachia area of Keshpur.
The incident has sparked tension in the area. The victim was taken to a local hospital. The local Trinamool Congress leaders alleged that the security person had fired following direction from Ghosh. The Election Commission has sought a report on the incident.
A large number of Trinamool Congress supporters staged a demonstration in front of Ghosh when she was entering a polling booth in the area. They allegedly pelted stones at her. A security person of Ghosh was injured after being hit by a stone. The rear windscreen of Ghosh's vehicle was also damaged in the incident. Central force jawans resorted to indiscriminate lathi charge on the TMC supporters.
Ghosh entered booth number 139 at Pipurda in Ghatal and captured videos on her mobile. The Election Commission officials found the footages on the media watch cell and served a showcause notice to the presiding officer, who was eventually removed by the Commission.
The District Magistrate was asked to file a report in this regard. The Election Commission also instructed the district administration to lodge an FIR against Ghosh. It may be mentioned that no candidate is allowed to capture video or photo inside the polling station as per EC norm.
The presiding officer who was removed, claimed on television camera that he did not know if a candidate can take photographs inside the booth. The Commission may take action against Ghosh after receiving the report from the district administration.
Senior Trinamool Congress leader Firhad Hakim said that local people staged a protest demonstration in front of Ghosh only because she and her party tried to create trouble in various places.
"BJP has no organisation to fight the electoral battle. Hence they were unable to field agents in polling stations. They were trying to create hue and cry over fielding of polling agents. Ghosh was bringing people from outside as her election agents. Elections were going on peacefully when she tried to create confusion among the people. Her security person fired and a TMC worker was injured. If one tries to terrorise the people, he or he has to face the backlash," Hakim said.
