In Bengal rural polls, BJP joined hands with Maoist-backed outfit
BJP, ASM managed to beat TMC in tribal-dominated areas in Jhargram, Purulia
In tribal-dominated Jhargram and Purulia districts of West Bengal, the BJP performed remarkably well in the recently concluded rural elections.In at least one block in Jhargram, on the Bengal-Jharkhand border, the BJP left seats for a tribal outfit, Adivasi Samanvay Manch, backed by the outlawed CPI(Maoist).
BJP’s State president Dilip Ghosh acknowledged that they had a seat adjustment with the ASM. “We did not put up candidates where they [ASM] did, as we both were fighting the TMC to limit vote division. We know them [ASM] and may work together in future. But [we] do not have any formal understanding,” Mr. Ghosh said. He denied the allegation made by State Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress head Mamata Banerjee that the BJP is “closely working” with the Maoists.
“In earlier elections the TMC performed well in the area. Did they work with the Maoists,” asked Mr. Ghosh. Owing to the seat adjustment in at least three gram panchayats — Bhulaveda, Banshpahari and Shimulpal – in Binpur II block, the BJP and ASM managed to decimate the TMC. [ . . . ]
FULL TEXT AT: http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/in-bengal-rural-polls-bjp-joined-hands-with-maoist-backed-outfit/article23995115.ece
