BJP urges EC to deploy central forces in Kerala ahead of polls, cites increase in violence

Ahead of Kerala Assembly Elections, BJP has demanded deployment of central forces in sourn state, citing an increase in political violence in state. Making its plea before Election Commission visiting Kerala to assess poll-preparedness, BJP claimed violence against its party members alleging that it is a strategy of ruling CPI(M). saffron party was a part of Election Commission meeting with all political factions on Saturday ahead of polls. 

In discussion which lasted nearly for half-an-hour, political parties expressed a desire to hold polling in a single phase for upcoming Assembly Election. Moreover, Election Commission has also hinted at a similar schedule of elections as it was in 2016. In previous assembly polls, elections were held in mid-May. 

'Reign of fear & terror'

Elaborating on BJP's demand for deployment of central forces in Kerala, party's Central Election Committee Incharge Om Pathak said, "Unfortunately, Kerala has seen a lot of political violence in last 2-3 years and most of this violence has been against BJP and its sister organisations. That we have brought to commission's tice that wherever re are CPM ruled states, violence is an integral part of ir strategy and refore, sensitive and critical polling stations must be identified and we must post central forces alone. We will t allow anyone to create a reign of fear and terror."

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Om Pathak also highlighted that re are some 'discrepancies' in electoral roll which EC has been apprised of. "In some places, people's names have been struck off, some duplicate voters have been registered. We are doing a thorough scanning. We also said that re are new polling station and polling booths being set up as a result of social distancing, so we have requested EC to provide us with a list of proposed new booths," he told ANI. 

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Central Election Commission Team reached Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday morning to review preparedness for upcoming elections in Kerala. team comprising of Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora, Election Commissioners Sushil Chandra, Rajeev Kumar and or senior officials has already begun discussions with various government officials. team is expected to meet district level Electoral Officers and SPs on various security precautions regarding forthcoming assembly elections. On Sunday, EC delegation will interact with Kerala Chief Secretary, Home Secretary, State Police Chief and or senior officers. 

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(With ANI Inputs)