A Trinamool Congress MLA issued a threat to voters in Asansol Lok Sabha seat in West Bengal, which is heading for bypolls, asking them to "vote at their own risk."
In a video that has been widely shared on Tuesday, TMC MLA from Pandabeswar, Naren Chakraborty, is heard issuing threats to BJP voters and supporters, asking them to come out and vote at their own risk.
According to media reports, the MLA was speaking at a meeting to discuss preparations for the bypolls.
The MLA is heard saying that those who are fierce supporters of the saffron party, those who cannot be influenced, need to be threatened. "Tell them, 'if you are going out to vote, we would assume that you would vote for the BJP. Tell them to vote at their own risk. But if you do not go out to vote, we would assume that you are with us, you would then stay well, and go about your life'."
Sharing the video, BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya asked the Election Commission to take note of the issue. "TMC’s Pandaveswar (Asansol) MLA Naren Chakraborty, is seen issuing open threats to BJP voters and supporters, asking them not to come out and vote, or else face consequences. Such criminals should be behind bars but in Bengal Mamata Banerjee patronises them. ECI must take note," he tweeted.
Leader of opposition in Bengal assembly Suvendu Adhikari tweeted: "Naren Chakraborty; @AITCofficial MLA of Pandabeswar Assembly can be seen issuing diktats to his underlings; how to stop BJP supporters from voting. Pandabeswar Assembly Segment falls under Asansol Lok Sabha Constituency where bypoll is going to be held in about two weeks time.”
