Alleging there was a complete breakdown of constitutional machinery in West Bengal in the wake of the violence that rocked Nandigram, the Bharatiya Janata Party demanded dismissal of the state government.

"In West Bengal, there is a complete failure of constitutional machinery," BJP president Rajnath Singh told a press conference in Bangalore.

"The Nandigram episode symbolised the CPI(M)'s attitude of dictatorship and tyranny," he said, adding the state government had abdicated its responsibility to protect the Constitution and the people of Nandigram.

The BJP chief alleged that armed cadres of CPI(M) had mounted attack on innocent people, driving them out of their homes.

"While the CPI(M) cadres are killing, the West Bengal police stand  like onlookers. More than 20,000 men, women and children are living in the open without any relief and rescue."

He said that if disputes like land acquisition were to be decided by "private armies", it would send out "dangerous signals" not only to West Bengal, but also to the country.

He accused the UPA government of failing to prevent the violence in the troubled village despite knowing the situation.

Claiming that the Centre had failed in "every front" vis-a-vis issues such as price rise, terrorism and internal security, Singh said the nation was being "pushed" towards snap polls.