Kerala - Kannur   

CPI(M) making mockery of democracy: MP

KANNUR: K. Sudhakaran, MP, has accused the Communist Party of India (Marxist) of making a mockery of democracy by rigging the repoll in Pattuvam and other places on Monday.

Speaking at a press conference here on Monday, Mr. Sudhakaran said the UDF boycotted the repoll at Veliyikkal in Pattuvam panchayat after the official machinery, including senior police officers and even election observers, failed to provide protection for voters to cast their vote without fear.

Four purdah-clad women voters, including two aged women, who were also present at the press conference, said they were beaten up by people led by local CPI(M) leaders while they were going to cast their votes at the booth. Two of them said their gold chains were also snatched by the attackers.

Mr. Sudhakaran said Pattuvam was being shown as the Kannur model of repoll. Pattuvam was a CPI(M) stronghold, he said adding that the polling booth was shifted to a place which had no easy access.

“Six bombs exploded while I was visiting the area,” he said adding that even the police were not spared. No mediaperson was allowed to go anywhere near the polling booth, Mr. Sudhakaran said urging Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan to explain what kind of election was held at Pattuvam. The MP said no adequate police personnel were deployed in the area. At Pattuvam, nearly 100 women voters waited for over three hours to go to the polling booth, he said.

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