Hours after the Election Commission announced the seven-phase schedule for Lok Sabha polls, political wrangling has begun and has taken a seemingly communal tone.
On Monday, Kolkata Mayor and TMC minister Firhad Hakim brought up the issue of the election schedule clashing with the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and alleged the Modi government “did not want minorities to vote” in large numbers.
Hakim was quoted by ANI as saying, “Election Commission is a constitutional body and we respect them. We don't want to say anything against them. But seven-phase election will be tough for people in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. It'll be most difficult for those who will be observing Ramadan at that time.”
Adding to his arguments on the states of West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, Hakim claimed the “minority population in these three states is quite high. They'll cast votes by observing 'roza'. EC should have kept this in mind.” Only these three states will have voting across all seven phases of the Lok Sabha elections.
Hakim said, “BJP wants minorities to not cast their votes. But we aren't worried. People are committed to 'BJP hatao-desh bachao”.
Despite Hakim's opposition to the seven-phase polls coinciding with Ramadan, opposition parties in West Bengal have welcomed the move, citing the poor law and order situation in the state. The BJP, CPI(M) and Congress all welcomed the Election Commission's move and cited the widespread intimidation and violence seen during last year's panchayat elections in West Bengal.