LF asks WB govt to announce panchayat poll schedule

Welcoming the Calcutta High Court order on panchayat poll in West Bengal, CPI(M)-led Left Front today demanded that the state government should immediately announce the election schedule in consultation with the State Election Commission without delay.
"We sincerely hope that both the state government and the State Election Commission will refrain from showing their one-upmanship anymore and ensure holding of a peaceful, free and fair panchayat poll in time," Left Front chairman Biman Bose told reporters here.
Bose termed as "baseless", panchayat minister Subrata Mukherjee's allegation that CPI(M), Congress and BJP have "conspired" to put obstacles in holding panchayat polls.

He said the CPI(M)-led Front had no truck with Congress, not to speak of BJP, so far as political moves are concerned.
To a question, he said the Left Front is prepared to contest panchayat polls and oganisational preparations are being taken.
He said in many districts, the Front had nearly completed seat understanding process.
Leader of the Opposition Suryakanta Mishra said it was good that both the state government and SEC had agreed to work together.