"We went by law in notifying panchayat poll dates": Subrata

Defending the announcement of panchayat election dates in West Bengal, state panchayat minister Subrata Mukherjee today said proper legal procedures were followed before the dates were notified.
The state government is in a conflict with the State Election Commission over the choice of dates for the election and deployment of forces.
While the government wants a two-phase election, the SEC opposes it and wants the polls to be held under the supervision of central forces.
"We are much more serious than anybody else in holding panchayat Polls. We have completely followed the law and the steps have been taken in accordance with the law," Mukherjee said.

He observed that a state government can never function pursuing narrow political interests.
The government has issued notification for the holding of panchayat polls in two phases on April 26 and 30.

While election would be held in 14 districts on April 26, three districts - Malda, Murshidabad and Uttar Dinajpur - would go to poll on April 30.
Malda, Murshidabad and Uttar Dinajpur districts are known to be Congress strongholds where Trinamool Congress has been trying to increase its support base for the last few years.
"We have not divided the phases on the basis of Congress strongholds or Communist strongholds. We have divided the phases on the basis of shifting of police forces," he explained.

Making a dig at opposition parties who have criticised the government's unilateral announcement of poll dates, the minister remarked, "Those who shout don't bite."
Echoing Mukherjee's view, state industries minister Partha Chatterjee said opposition parties were making a hue and cry over the issue as they were afraid of defeat.
"Actually, this hue and cry is nothing but reflection of the fear of defeat. Those who are sanguine about victory are not bothered about how many phases of election are there," Chatterjee commented.