Let Central forces stay on in Bengal, BJP tells EC

Fearing post-poll violence in the state, BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari on Monday said the Central forces deployed in West Bengal for the Lok Sabha polls should be kept for three more months after the elections. The BJP leader met the Special Observer appointed by the Election Commission.

Adhikari said the deployment of Central forces would help in preventing post-poll violence, which led to a slew of deaths following the 2021 Assembly elections and the 2023 panchayat polls. He said he would write to Governor CV Ananda Bose, the State’s Chief Secretary and Union Home Secretary with the demand.

The Trinamool Congress, however, said Suvendu Adhikari’s request showed a “defeatist mentality”. “He (Suvendu) knows it better than anyone else that his party is in shambles, that BJP commands no political hold in Bengal. So, their only option to salvage their diminishing relevance is by prolonging the stay of Central Forces,” the Trinamool Congress posted on X. Election Commission sources said a total of 92,000 personnel of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) are likely to be deployed in West Bengal, the highest in any State, for the parliamentary elections.

Sources said that 100 more companies of Central forces would reach West Bengal by Wednesday. The EC is planning to deploy 277 companies in the first phase of polling in the State on April 19. Three constituencies in north Bengal – Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri, and Alipurduars – will go to polls in the first phase.

At present, 177 companies of Central forces are deployed in different districts of West Bengal.

“However, more personnel are needed to provide Central force cover in all booths. But there has been no confirmation yet of getting more forces. Therefore, in the first phase, State police may also be deployed along with Central forces,” Suvendu Adhikari said.