By IANS,
Canning (West Bengal): Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram Monday urged the people of West Bengal to usher in change and free the state from three decades of Left rule, saying that it would be “another freedom struggle”.
“The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) had problems maintaining law and order. A large number of people have been killed in political clashes. We (central government) will work with the new government in the state to restore peace and order,” Chidambaram said at an election rally in Canning in South 24-Parganas district.
“We must start a new beginning somewhere. We must put an end to the 34 years of misrule. Come out and vote without fear. This is equal to another freedom struggle. We must free the state from CPI-M,” he said.
The six-phase assembly elections are being held in West Bengal April 18-May 10. The results will be declared May 13.
The home minister accused the long-time CPI-M legislator from Canning East of using unfair means to stay elected.
“One person is winning for three decades. He is minister for 29 years. He is responsible for the lack of development. The minister never won through unfair means,” Chidambaram alleged.
“How did the minister win in all the elections he contested? Booths were captured, Trinamool Congress and Congress workers have been killed. This is how he won. In the last elections, as many as 17 booths were captured. In many booths, the votes cast were only in favour of the CPI-M. The Congress and the Trinamool got zero votes,” added Chidambaram.
Land and Land Reforms Minister Abdur Rezzak Molla has been winning the Canning East assembly seat since 1977.
Calling the area as the most backward in the entire country, Chidambaram held the CPI-M legislator responsible for the lack of development.
“I have been told that this is the most backward area not only in the state but the entire country. There are no schools or hospitals. He has been minister all these years. He is responsible for the lack of development,” the home minister charged.
Urging the people to vote for the Congress candidate Ibrahim Molla, Chidambaram said that the party, with Ibrahim Molla at the front, would fight all the ills plaguing the area.
Chidambaram also assured the people of protecting them from violence and bloodshed and appealed to them to usher in the change.
The third phase of polling in West Bengal will be held Wednesday.