ECI rejects Abhishek Banerjee’s claim, says elderly voter died after illness at booth (Ld)

Kolkata, April 29 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Wednesday rejected allegations made by Trinamool Congress general secretary and Lok Sabha MP Abhishek Banerjee that an elderly voter died after being manhandled by central forces personnel at a polling booth in Udaynarayanpur in Howrah district adjoining Kolkata.

"In Udaynarayanpur, an elderly man went to cast his vote with his son. Too frail to walk unaided, his son tried to help him into the booth. Central Forces pushed and manhandled both. The old man collapsed, was rushed to Amta Hospital and declared dead on arrival," Abhishek Banerjee claimed in a social media statement issued on Wednesday.

However, the ECI issued a statement in the evening denying that the death was caused by any manhandling by central forces personnel, and said the elderly voter, identified as Purna Chandra Dolui, died after suddenly falling down following illness after casting his vote.

“One Purna Chandra Dolui (82 yrs), S/o Anukul Dolui of Kurit Purba under Penro PS, Howrah Rural District, came to Booth No. 245 of 182-Udaynarayanpur AC to cast his vote along with his son. After casting his vote, he suddenly fell down near the voting compartment, reportedly due to illness. His son was present inside the booth at that time. He was rushed to Amta hospital for necessary treatment but was declared dead. I have visited the booth after this incident,” read the ECI statement quoting the General Observer for Udaynarayanpur Assembly constituency.

West Bengal unit BJP leaders said that the ruling Trinamool Congress was desperate to see violence in the second phase of polling, and with no such incidents reported due to extensive security arrangements, was now attempting to project an illness-related death as one caused by alleged manhandling by central forces.

Abhishek Banerjee had earlier claimed that since morning, when polling began, central forces had been "terrorising" people at polling booths.

“Since dawn, these Central Forces have been terrorising ordinary citizens -- slapping women, assaulting the elderly, attacking even children. This is the Sitalkuchi mentality of 2021: cold-blooded, merciless violence against unarmed civilians. BJP paid a heavy price for the blood of innocents in 2021. They will pay an even heavier price in 2026,” he said.

The Trinamool Congress leader added: “And to the jallads roaming Bengal: it doesn’t matter which state you come from. It doesn’t matter whose political patronage shields you. Every single one of you involved in this barbarism will be hunted down and made to face the full force of the law. Your reign of terror will end in total ruin.”

Source: IANS