‘Panchayat polls govt call, not EC’s’
A day after the state government unilaterally announced the dates of the panchayat elections, it suggested that the state election commission was bound to accept its decision even as the Opposition parties cried foul.
In reply to a question if he was optimistic that the state election commission would accept the decision of the state government, panchayat minister Subrata Mukherjee said: “Where is the question of being optimistic or not. This is the rule and this is the law.”
In other words, Mr Mukherjee wanted to say that the state election commission had no option but to toe the state government’s line.
The state election commission which remained tight-lipped will make its stand clear on Monday. Sources said that it was peeved with the state government for more than one reason.
The state election commission is understandably upset over the two-phase poll decision. However, what has further irked it is the state government’s decision to club 14 districts in one phase and three in the other.
According to the government notification the rural polls would be held on April 26 and April 30.
On the first day, elections will be held in 14 districts while on April 30 in Malda, North Dinajpur and Murshidabad. The state election commission believes that it is a totally unrealistic and frought with risk arrangement.
The state election commission is not happy with state government’s decision to not seek Central paramilitary forces for the election. The state government is insisting on bringing in forces from neighbouring states. State election commissioner Mira Pande will hold a crucial meeting on Monday and then announce her decision. It is not clear if she will eventually toe the Mamata Banerjee government’s decision or voice her dissent. Sources said that she can shoot off another letter to the state government and can even pursue legal course of action.
Like the state election commission, the Leaders of Opposition parties were also upset with the state government’s decision. Sate Congress president Pradip Bhattacharya said that it was politically-motivated. “How else can one explain its decision to hold polls in 14 districts on one day and three on the other. There is reason for this unequal distribution of districts. The three districts-Malda, North Dinajpur and Malda-which have been selected for special treatments are the ones where the Congress is in a strong position,” he added.
CPI(M) state secretary Biman Basu said that the state government’s announcement of the poll dates was unprecedented. “We have heard only one side of the story — the state government’s side. I will reserve my comment till the state election commission comes up with its version,” he added.
Rejecting the Opposition claims, Trinamul Congress leader Mukul Roy said that they were making these allegations because they have realised that they would suffer defeat in the panchayat polls.
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