CPI(Marxist) stops rallies, roadshows in view of rising COVID-19 cases

Kolkata: Communist Party of India (Marxist) has decided not to hold rallies and road shows even in the midst of a high-stake electoral battle in West Bengal to help rein in the fast spread of COVID 19 infection in the state.

Instead, CPI(M) candidates will focus on door-to-door campaigns, small gatherings and small street corners where distancing protocols can be maintained.

The elections in Bengal that would be held in eight phases between March 27 and April 29 are only half way through. Campaign has ended for the fifth phase of polling that will be held on April 17.

The bulletin of Bengal government on April 14 had revealed that the total number of COVID infection in the preceding 24 hours was 5,892. It is all time record for the state since the outbreak of the pandemic in 2020.

In the past 10-12 days the infection in the state began spreading fast. On April 1, 1,274 fresh cases was reported in the preceding 24 hours. On April 5, the number stood at 1,961, on April 8 it zoomed to 2,783.

On April 13 and 14, the number of fresh infections in the preceding 24-hour window shot up to 4,817 and 5,892 respectively.

Experts feel the rallies, roadshows and gatherings by all the parties, including ruling Trinamool Congress, BJP, Congress and all Left parties, fanned the infections.

The organisers of the big gatherings paid scant respect to safety protocols not only during the meetings but also during and after the rallies as the supporters are ferried to and fro in packed busses and trucks.

The speakers at these meetings including senior political leaders from all parties are not using face masks.

“We have decided to not hold any large rallies ahead of the remaining three phases of elections. We will do door-to-door campaign, campaign through social media and very small street corners. Door-to-door campaigns and street corners would be held following proper Covid-19 protocols,” said Md Salim, CPI(M) politburo member on Wednesday.

Salim also said that the party would request its allies like other Left parties, Congress and the ISF to follow the same path to ensure that the spread of the virus could be contained.

This year CPI(M) has laid emphasis on social media campaigns.

“We are chalking out new plans. From the beginning we are pushing social media campaign and door-to-door campaign,” said Debojyoti Das, CPI(M) candidate from Khardaha. Polling in his constituency will be held on April 22.

“It is unthinkable that parties such as TMC and BJP that are organising the massive rallies have remained silent about following Covid-19 protocols. They should take a lesson now,” said a doctor who is treating COVID patients for the past one year.

The Election Commission has already decided to hold an all-party meeting on April 16 to discuss the COVID situation in Bengal.

“The poll panel is likely to urge the political parties to ensure the protocols are followed properly in case of large gatherings. The poll panel expects that political parties would come forward to behave responsibly to help curb the surge in infection,” said a state government official.