Kolkata, March 31 (NationPress) A disturbance erupted outside the office of the West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) as Booth Level Officers (BLOs) associated with the Trinamool Congress clashed with workers from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday. The conflict arose over a disputed attempt to submit Form-6, leading both sides to exchange accusations.

The BJP claimed that the West Bengal Police was biased in favor of the Trinamool Congress, while the Trinamool accused the BJP of inserting non-residents into the state's electoral roll and colluding with the Election Commission.

With the state set to hold a two-phase Assembly election next month, tensions are clearly mounting.

BJP worker Kushal Panday expressed his frustration to IANS, stating, "We were also conducting a protest here, just like the Trinamool members. They used cane charges against us while the police were preventing our actions. Trinamool members are being allowed to act freely by the police. We will respond similarly today; we have endured enough."

Another BJP worker, Kali Karthick, reiterated accusations that law enforcement was protecting Trinamool Congress members. He remarked, "The police only tell us to disperse, while they ignore Trinamool workers. This shows a double standard in enforcing the rules. Does the police want to portray us as weak? We will not back down an inch."

Karthick further alleged that this was indicative of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's influence over the police.

On the other hand, the Trinamool Congress accused the BJP of undermining democracy by attempting to add external individuals to the voter list. Councillor Sachin Singh stated, "What the BJP is doing in collaboration with the Election Commission is a violation of the Constitution. Previously, names were removed from the voter list via Form-7, now they are adding outsiders using Form-6. This is a direct assault on democracy."

He added, "The people of West Bengal will not accept this. The Election Commission must respond to these allegations." Singh denied the BJP's claims that Trinamool Congress members instigated the conflict.

"The BJP is attempting to propagate a culture of violence. West Bengal upholds the principles of Rabindranath Tagore. They are erasing names from the voter lists in Muslim-majority areas; in my ward of Rajabajar, 50 names have been removed from each locality. This is unacceptable in a democratic society. The collaboration between the Election Commission and the BJP will not be tolerated by the citizens of West Bengal," he asserted.

Kolkata Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central Division), Yeilwad Shrikant Jagannathrao, stressed the importance of maintaining law and order. "Everyone has the right to protest, and they are indeed protesting. However, I will not permit any disruption to the peace. Law and order has always been within my control, and it will continue to be so," he declared to reporters.

Reports indicate that the police were compelled to intervene forcefully to manage the escalating protests from both political factions outside the State CEO office.