Kolkata, 07 March (H.S): Bharatiya Janata Party MP from the Darjeeling Lok Sabha constituency, Raju Bista, on Saturday said that the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections should be conducted under President’s Rule. He stated that he would soon meet Droupadi Murmu to apprise her of the current situation in the state and request consideration of this proposal.

Bista made the remarks while speaking to the media on the sidelines of the ninth International Santal Conference held at Gosaiipur in Darjeeling district near Siliguri. The event was organised by the International Santal Council and was attended by President Murmu as the chief speaker.

The BJP MP said he would inform the President about the prevailing law-and-order situation in West Bengal and urge that the forthcoming Assembly elections be conducted under President’s Rule to ensure a free and fair electoral process.

Bista also criticised West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over her ongoing sit-in protest in Kolkata against the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. He alleged that the protest was not aimed at protecting the rights of genuine voters but was intended to safeguard the interests of infiltrators.

Meanwhile, addressing the conference, President Murmu expressed mild displeasure over the arrangements at the venue. She noted that several members of the Santal community were seen outside the conference hall and appeared to have been prevented from entering.

The President emphasised that in such a large international gathering, open participation of the Santal community should be ensured.

During her address, she also recalled the valour and legacy of the Santal community. Murmu referred to the historic uprising led by Tilka Manjhi nearly 240 years ago against oppression.

She said that the Santal community has a proud tradition of resisting injustice and standing firmly against oppression, adding that Santals are a brave people who should take pride in their glorious history.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh