TMC alleges collusion between poll panel and Opposition

Says that the series of letters sent by state election commisson to state govt might have been drafted in an office of a political party

The panchayat poll face-off in West Bengal today turned murkier, with Trinamool Congress(TMC) taking up the cudgel for the state government in its fight with the State Election Commission.

Senior TMC leader Mukul Roy today alleged collusion between State Election Commissioner Mira Pande and opposition parties. "The Election Commissioner got an extension in 2010. She was the first one to get an extension of three years. I am not suggesting anything, just stating a fact which appears suspicious to us," Roy said.

TMC general secretary, even went to the extent of saying that, "the series of letters sent by state election commisson to state government might have been drafted in an office of a political party."

Roy, however, stopped short of naming the political party concerned.

Meanwhile, after alteration in division of districts in two phases by the state  government, the poll panel's demand for deployment of central forces in the rural election remains the contentious issues. The SEC has said that 800 companies of central forces should be made available for the elections.

West Bengal Panchyat minister Subrta Mukherjee, however, refused to give in to the demand. "The law and order is not that bad that we need that much central forces," he said, after meeting Governor M K Narayanan to discuss the issues.

M K Narayanan had summoned the minister after  State Election Commissioner Mira Pande met Governor yesterday to apprise him of the poll panel's stand.

Also, as the deadlock continues, the panchayat election now may not take place on government-announced dates. As per norms, there should be at least 21 to 35 days' gap between the date of notification of poll dates by state election commission and date of voting.

The West Bengal government too seems to be realisng the point.

"Yes the time is running out. We had notified the poll dates but the state election commission did not. Also, even we need to revise the earlier notification as there has been alteration in distribution of districts in two phases. The matter is is still being discussed. Hopefully there will be decision by Monday," West Bengal Panchayat minister Subrata Mukherjee said.

Last week, defying the election commission's suggestion for a three-stage polls in the presence of central security forces, the West Bengal government had announced that a two-phase election would be held April on 26 and 30 under the supervision of the state police. However, there needs to be a matching notification from the SEC as well, which would mark the official beginning of poll process.

After  SEC's objection, the government altered the distribution of districts to cover six districts in the second phase.

According to the initial plan, the second phase would have included just the Congress-dominated Malda, Murshidabad, North Dinajpur districts.