Meanwhile, to heighten security in anticipation of agitation by political parties, Section 144 has been imposed in front of the SEC office
Following violence across the state, the State Election Commission (SEC) on Monday failed to announce the new dates for the three-tier panchayat election. Sources said that the SEC, which was supposed to to hold a meeting with representatives of the state government and announce the dates for the poll process, failed to do so on account of the ongoing violence. The meeting is now likely to take place on Tuesday. The scheduled meeting of the SEC with representatives of different political parties also did not materialise. Sources added that the SEC had sought reports from respective district superintendents of police.
Meanwhile, to heighten security in anticipation of agitation by political parties, Section 144 has been imposed in front of the SEC office and the entire area was barricaded with guardrails. Heavy police posting was also in place. Additionally, opposition party leaders have moved Calcutta High Court alleging that the SEC had failed to carry out the instructions of the court regarding conducting a fair and peaceful process of filing nominations. Leaders of all three Opposition parties – Congress, CPI(M) and BJP moved court simultaneously and the hearing will take place on Tuesday.
In wake of the clashes between Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporters in West Bengal's Birbhum, the BJP has announced to move the High Court on Tuesday.
Addressing the press here, BJP general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya alleged that the party's candidates were obstructed from filing nomination for the Panchayat elections, and the party elections were vandalized by goons, at the behest of ruling-TMC in the state.
"We moved the Supreme Court and High Court who then directed the Election Commission to ensure the elections are free and fare and that the candidates are provided security, but I think the anti-social elements working at the behest of TMC do not understand the orders of the High Court, Supreme Court, or the Election Commission," Vijayvargiya said.
"BJP will again move High Court tomorrow and raise this issue. We have collected the footage and have even submitted a plea in the Court that we were not allowed to submit nomination. We will show the clippings to President on how democratic rights of the people are under attack in West Bengal" he added.
Apart from the death of one BJP worker in the clashes at Birbhum earlier in the day, Vijayvargiya said the whole state was in turmoil and chaos throughout the day, and clashes happened in over 526 places, 11 BJP officers were vandalized, and over 500 party workers were injured. "Police were mute spectators to the TMC goons' acts and only arrested BJP workers," he said.
With inputs from Arshad Ali and agencies
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 "Violence during filing of nomination for Bengal Panchayat polls")
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