Two other CPI(M) workers were killed yesterday in the violence-marred third phase of Bengal polls. (PTI photo)
Two CPI(M) workers killed on Friday allegedly by Trinamool Congress workers in post-poll violence at Lodhna in Burdwan district triggering a blame game between political rivals in West Bengal.
While the Opposition CPI(M) and Congress claimed the killings are due to the Trinamool's "frustration of loosing ground and imminent defeat in the Assembly elections", the ruling dispensation denied the allegations saying it was a fallout of a rivalry between Congress and CPI(M).
56-year-old SK Fazal Haque, a polling agent of CPI(M) and 56-year-old Dukhiram Dal were beaten up with lathis and iron rods by armed men when they were returning home at about 8 PM Thursday night, Superintendent of Police Gaurab Sharma said.
Both injured men were taken to Burdwan Medical College and Hospital where they died a few hours later, he said.
Accusing the ruling Trinamool of unleashing a reign of terror and post-poll violence, CPI(M) state secretary Surjya Kanta Mishra said in a tweet "After Nur Islam Mistry and Tahudul Islam, its now SK Fazle Haq and Dukhiram Dal of Khandaghosh. Killed by TMC. Frustration of loosing grounds continue. SK Fazle Haq was our polling agent. Dukhiram's son too! Rise in protest. Protection of booths with last blood will be real respect to martyrs."
Two other CPI(M) workers were killed yesterday. "Gruesome killing of four of our comrades in three days proves how unnerved the TMC has been. Increasing fear of impending defeat. Frustrated TMC unleashes post-poll terror in different parts of the state. More fierce your attacks, mightier the people's resistance," Mishra said.
The CPI(M) leadership today wrote a letter to the Election Commission requesting it to take action and instill confidence among the people to vote freely and fairly.
CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury in the letter said he was writing it to register strong condemnation over the continued violence, terror and intimidation unleashed by the ruling Trinamool Congress in West Bengal.
State Congress president Adhir Chowdhury too condemned the violence and said it was a sign of Trinamool Congress's frustration and fear of losing the elections.
"They know defeat is imminent, that is why they are killing cadres of CPI(M) and attacking Congress workers. The terror tactics of TMC will not work," Mr Chowdhury said.