Bengal proposes in court to hold Panchayat poll in May

The govt today proposed in Calcutta High court to hold the polls in first week of May

West Bengal government on Thursday proposed in Calcutta High court to hold the Panchayat election in the first week of May . The offer, however, is yet to break the ice between state government and State election Commission (SEC), as deployment of central forces remains the contentious issue.

During the hearing of  State to Election Commission's petition against West Bengal government, advocate general of the state Bimal Chatterjee proposed to conduct the election on May 5 and May 8.

Although, in the court on behalf of the government, Chatterjee assured all kind of support to SEC during the election, his proposal insisted on conducting the election under the supervision of police forces from neighbouring states along with state police.

This prompted SEC's counsel Samaraditya Paul to immediately intervene, saying there was "nothing new" in government's proposal. Paul pointed out, government's earlier announcement too had talked about two phase election with police from other states.

Justice Biswanath Samaddar, however, asked both the counsels of SEC and Bengal government to consider, whether there could be agreement around newly proposed dates.

As there is time before next hearing, which is next Tuesday, Judge asked both the parties to discuss about new dates in the meantime.

Earlier, 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.

Although the state government later altered division of districts in two phases following poll panel's objection, the SEC's demand for deployment of central forces in the rural election remains the contentious issues.

The Commission said that 800 companies of central forces should be made available for the elections. The state government, however, refused to give in to the demand.

As per subclause 3 of Article 243K of Indian constitution, Governor of the state shall make available to all the staff as the SEC may ask for rural poll. However, there are different interpretations of the of the word "staff".

While, the state government argues the word "staff" does not include security personnel, the SEC contradicts the claim.