London, Oct 1(ANI): Baroness Warsi, Britain's first female Muslim cabinet minister, has claimed that the Conservatives failed to win an overall majority at the general election because Labour stole three seats from the Tories based on electoral fraud, predominantly within the 'Asian community.'
Warsi, Chairman of the Conservative Party, said that one of the reasons for her party's failure to win an outright majority was the result of voting irregularities in the 'Asian community'.
"There were 'at least three seats where we lost, where we didn't gain the seat, based on electoral fraud. Now, could we have planned for that in the campaign? Absolutely not," the Daily Mail quoted Warsi, as saying.
On being asked whether Labour benefited from electoral fraud, she said: 'Absolutely.' It is predominantly within the Asian community. I have to look back and say we didn't do well in those communities, but was there something over and above that we could have done? Well, actually not, if there is going to be voter fraud."
However, Labour called the allegations "unsubstantiated" and urged Warsi to produce evidence.
"These are unsubstantiated allegations from a Tory party which last year had six activists sent to jail for election fraud. The Labour Party takes the strongest possible action against any member convicted of election fraud. If Baroness Warsi has any evidence for her claims she should share it with the authorities," the paper quoted a Labour Party spokesman, as saying.
Meanwhile, media reports have claimed that investigation is being carried out in three constituencies where alleged electoral fraud had taken place. In Halifax, two people were reportedly arrested and released on police bail. The report further named the other constituencies as Bradford West and Oldham.ecent elections were marred by claims that the postal voting system was exploited by grandees in the Asian community, who allegedly pressurised women and the youths to back Labour candidates.
Police launched 50 criminal inquiries into claims of voter fraud during the election. (ANI)
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