Patna: Accusing the Union Home Ministry of using Border Security Force (BSF) to rig elections in Madhepura constituency, where he is a contestant, RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal) president Laloo Prasad Yadav today (May 6, 2004) demanded stringent action against the BSF personnel allegedly involved in committing serious irregularities.

"I have sought strict action against the BSF men posted at booth numbers 114, 115 and 116 of Alamnagar Assembly segment in Madhepura Parliamentary constituency where they were not only present in the enclosure meant for voters but also asked them to cast their ballots in favour of the JD-U (Janata Dal-United) candidate," he told 'Star News'.

The private TV channel had shown footage of BSF jawans speaking to the electors and telling them how to exercise their vote during the polling yesterday.

Yadav said he had spoken to BSF Director General Ajay Raj Sharma and would place before the Election Commission the CDs in support of his contention that polling in Madhepura was rigged.

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"I am sure that the BSF jawans were working at the behest of some of their officers who had received instructions from the Union Home Ministry to get the polls rigged in favour of JD (U).

"After all why the jawans were doing something they are not supposed to do. Even if somebody says they were only helping the voters understand how to operate the electronic voting machines, it is not part of their duty," he said.

The RJD president is locked in a keen electoral contest with his JD (U) rival and Union Minister Sharad Yadav in the constituency.