'Bikes only means to commute in some places'

Justifying the use of motorbikes in villages, West Bengal panchayat minister Subrata Mukherjee today said that they were the only means of commuting in some areas in the villages where other forms of transport were either not available or condition of roads were very bad.

"What is wrong with bikes? ... It has to be seen whether the bikes are being used to spark violence or to attend political meetings. It has a social aspect," he told PTI. "Besides, riding bikes in groups is not a crime and those who are using the two-wheelers have got their license from the government to do that," Mukherjee said.

The State Election Commission and Calcutta High Court has banned the use of motorcycle for campaigning during the ongoing panchayat polls in the state.

The high court had also directed that the state government should ensure that not more than one motorcycle is used in poll rallies by any political party or candidate.

The state government had been asked by the high court government to file an affidavit tomorrow stating what steps it had taken to contain 'bike brigades' during the polling days. The second phase of the panchayat polls is scheduled for tomorrow in East Midnapore, Hooghly and Burdwan districts.