Rural polls: 6 policemen hurt in TMC-BJP clash; SEC extends last day of nomination

Six policemen were injured today when the BJP and TMC workers came to blows in South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal over filing of nominations for next month's panchayat elections, the police said.

Though today was the the last day for filing of nominations for the panchayat polls, to be held on May 1, 3 and 5, the State Election Commission (SEC) extended it till tomorrow in view of complaints that the opposition candidates had been prevented from filing papers.

Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court refused to extend the last date for the filing of nominations for the rural polls, saying it could not interfere with the election process.

The top court, however, granted liberty to all candidates to approach the West Bengal State Election Commission for appropriate relief.

The BJP had on March 6 told the apex court that "democracy is being murdered" in West Bengal as the ruling TMC was engaged in large scale violence and not allowing its candidates to file nominations for the panchayat polls.

The TMC leadership welcomed the apex court's ruling.

SEC A K Singh in a notification tonight extended the last day of filing nomination till April 10 from 11 am to 3 pm and all district officials concerned were directed to take necessary action, sources in the SEC's office said.

The decision was taken in view of various complaints of opposition candidates that they have been prevented from filing nominations by goons of the TMC, they said.

BJP state president Dilip Ghosh said, "If the TMC tries to unleash violence on the days of the polls, it will be paid back in the same coin. If they attack us with bombs and pistols, we won't greet them with a plate of sweets."