There has been a rift with the judiciary during the nomination process for the West Bengal Panchayat elections. There were incidents of violence in places like Bhangor when candidates were trying to file nomination papers. At this point the Calcutta High Court intervened and directed the State Election Commission (SEC) to request that central forces be deployed in areas already declared ‘sensitive’.
by ordering it Calcutta HC Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the SEC have challenged in the Supreme Court of India.
Here’s looking at the judicial run-in of panchayat poll violence in West Bengal
On 13 June, the Calcutta High Court said that the SEC should immediately requisition central forces and deploy them in places which it termed as ‘sensitive’.
Again on June 15, the Calcutta HC slammed the SEC for dragging its feet in seeking paramilitary forces from the central government and directed the election body to immediately seek paramilitary forces for all districts of the state and submit the same within 48 hours. instructed to implement the instructions.
This is when the SEC approached the apex court.
It is notable that the Calcutta High Court had passed this order on a petition BJP leader Shubhendu Adhikari,
BJP MP and turncoat from TMC Suvendu Adhikari is also one of the opposition leaders who alleged that TMC, the state’s ruling party, prevented BJP and other opposition party candidates from filing their nominations for the West Bengal panchayat elections.
Case posted to Supreme Court
The SEC told the Supreme Court on Monday that the Calcutta High Court’s direction to deploy central forces in panchayat elections without providing adequate opportunity to the state election panel was in violation of its judicial powers.
The State Election Commission said that in its independent assessment, the Commission had declared that the arrangements made by the State Administration were adequate and sufficient, not to direct the petitioner to compulsorily seek central paramilitary forces for all the districts of West Bengal. Could have done.
The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to list on June 20 a petition challenging the Calcutta High Court order regarding deployment of central forces in panchayat elections. A vacation bench of Justices Suryakant and MM Sundresh agreed to hear the matter tomorrow.
state election commission Said that in its independent assessment, the Commission had declared that the arrangements made by the State Administration were adequate and sufficient, could not direct the petitioner to mandatorily requisition Central Paramilitary Forces for all the districts of West Bengal.
What is happening in West Bengal?
Ahead of the panchayat elections scheduled for July 8, the state witnessed frequent clashes in various parts of the state, including an outbreak of violence at the Block Development Office in Ahmedpur, Birbhum, where crude bombs were hurled.
Also, a TMC worker was beaten to death in Malda district. Bomb-making material was also recovered by the West Bengal Police.
The election will be held in a single phase on July 8, with the counting of votes scheduled for July 11. The panchayat elections in West Bengal will see a tough fight between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the ruling Trinamool Congress as they are seen as a litmus test ahead of 2024. Lok Sabha Elections,
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Updated: June 19, 2023, 08:21 PM IST