WB govt announces panchayat polls dates on its own

In a virtual 'collision' with the State Election Commission (SEC), West Bengal government today unilaterally announced panchayat polls in the state in two phases -- on April 26 and 30.
"We are issuing the notification for the panchayat polls. It will be held in two phases on April 26 and 30. Armed policemen will be deployed in every booth," Panchayat Minister Subrata Mukherjee said.
The SEC had earlier proposed to hold the panchayat polls in three phases under the supervision of central forces.
Mukherjee said while the election would be held in 14 districts on April 26, three districts -- Malda, Murshidabad and Uttar Dinajpur -- will go to polls on April 30.

Malda, Murshidabad and Uttar Dinajpur districts are known to be Congress stronghold where Trinamool Congress has been trying to expand their support base for the last few years.
Mukherjee said the decision was taken after discussing with everybody and the state government has already intimated this to the SEC.