West Bengal files SLP in Supreme Court on civic poll date

The West Bengal government today filed an appeal in the Supreme Court challenging the Calcutta High Court's order that the poll process in seven municipalities be completed by June 16.
"We have filed the Special Leave Petition (SLP) today in the Supreme Court and it has been admitted," state Urban Development minister Firhad Hakim said.
The apex court will hear the case tomorrow, he said.
The state's opposition in holding the polls by June 16 was mainly based on the fact that the victorious candidates of the civic polls held last month would not be able to take oath as the seven municipalities, which could not go for poll in April, would cease to exist by then, the minister said.

The draft notification for revamping three existing corporations comprising seven municipalities has already been issued and the final one would come soon, after which the bodies would be formed, he told reporters here.
The state government proposed to add Rajarhat-Gopalpur Municipality to Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation, Bally Municipality to Howrah Municipal Corporation and Jamuria, Raniganj and Kulti municipalities to Asansol Municipal Corporation.