When officers were 'reduced' to gentlemen
KOLKATA, Apr 27 (UNI): For the first time in over three decades West Bengal witnessed a kind of bandobast that saw the khakis take over the polling process from the men in white.
Altogether A 12.5 million strong electorate is due to exercise its franchise in 76 out of 77 assembly constituencies in the state capital, North and South 24 Parganas to elect representatives from among 485 candidates, including 38 women.
Polling is being held amid very tight security with more than 50,000 central para miliatry force jawans manning all the 13,790 polling booths and patrolling streets.
A view of the city unfolds the story of this election, where the process has been completely taken over by the Haryana, Punjab and Orissa police and central para-military forces comprising CISF, CRPF BSF and RPF, marking a role reversal for the first time.
The city police were left as mere spectators patrolling the area and maintaining the law and order of the city in general.
However, this has evoked a positive reaction from the people who matter.
The voters seem to be extremely pleased with the way the polling was being conducted.
The state of the city police was evident from what a constable did when asked if they were under less pressure this time.
He waved, smiled and walked away in a hurry.
What they said...
KOLKATA, Apr 27 (UNI): What the political heavyweights said after casting their votes: West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee said, "I have cast my vote." Left Front Chairman Biman Basu said, "Barring stray incidents, vote is peaceful.
I have received no complaints from anywhere." State Finance Minister Ashim Dasgupta said, "Good voting.
People have come out to vote spontaneously." Veteran Marxist leader Jyoti Basu said, "I will not talk now." Trinamool Congress candidate and actor Tapas Paul, "The cheaters will try to cheat, but the headmaster is very strict.
This is good news." Sunderbans Development Minister Kanti Ganguly said, "Voting is slow but peaceful." Congress leader Sudip Bandopadhyay said, "People are going to the booths knowing they will be able to vote.
This is such a happy assurance." Transport Minister Subhas Chakraborty said, "I have asked the voters to reply to the insult made to the constituency." Former Pradesh Congress president Somen Mitra said, "This is my eighth time in electoral battle, but I have never seen such peaceful polling before today." Trinamool Congress Chief Whip Sobhondeb Chattopadhyay, "Vote is okay.
But police have done their part by breaking my legitimate booth." About us | Advertise | Other Publications | Subscriptions | Weather | Letters | Send Mail Disclaimer: Information is being made available at this site purely as a measure of public facilitation.
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