CPI(M) accuses TMC of unleashing terror, lashes out at Election Commission

Kolkata: The killing of a CPI(M) polling agent in Murshidabad district on Thursday kicked off a blame game between CPI(M) and TMC, with the Left party alleging that TMC had unleashed a "reign of terror" while EC was only acting as a "mute spectator".

The TMC denied the allegations and said the killing was a fallout of differences between CPI(M) and Congress.

The 35-year-old CPI(M) polling agent, Tahidul Islam, was on Thursday killed and his body was found lying outside a polling booth at Shibapara area under Domkal Assembly seat in Murshidabad district where third phase polling is on. An earlier report had identified Tahidul Islam to be a CPI(M) supporter.

CPI(M) candidate and former minister Anisur Rahman said that Tahidur Islam was killed when bombs were hurled outside the polling booth. A furious CPI(M) state secretary Surya Kanta Mishra lashed out at TMC.

"The blood of martyr Tahidul Islam will not go in vain. We will continue to protect the booths with the last drop of our blood. People will oust TMC. The gruesome murder of CPI(M) polling agent Tahidul Islam in the polling premises of Domkal by TMC points out to the reign of terror in Bengal," Mishra said.

The TMC leadership, however, denied the allegations. "Sad news of a death in Domkal. It is a result of CPI(M)-Congress infighting," TMC leader and candidate Shoumik Hossain said.

State Congress president Adhir Chowdhury said people will give a befitting reply to the TMC for its "terror tactics".

"The TMC has unleashed a reign of terror. People of Murshidabad will give a befitting reply to TMC terror tactics," Chowdhury said.

Murshidabad Superintendent of police C Sudhakar, however, said the murder was not related to polls. Tahidur was knifed somewhere else and his body was dumped near the booth, the SP said. The EC is understood to have sought report on Tahidul Islam's killing.