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In a major blow to the West Bengal government, the high court here on Friday authorised the State Election Commission (SEC) to decide the schedule of a three-phased panchayat poll in the state, with a security arrangement satisfying the poll panel.
Judge Biswanath Samaddar directed initiation of the election process in the next 24 hours. As a first step, beside giving details about arrangement of security forces, the state government has been asked to hand over to SEC the list of 400 officials who would work as election observers -- all by tomorrow. The urgency is related to the fact that the current panchayat bodies will be dissolved by June 10 on completion of their terms.
Following this, SEC has been asked to provide a proposal to the state government with three possible election dates and division of districts for a three-phase poll. Only after this will the state announce and notify the dates.
Thus, the court has validated all the SEC's demands, opposed by the Mamata Banerjee government. As the state government had rejected the poll panel's demands for a three-phase election and deployment of central forces, the SEC had petitioned the HC.
In fact, on March 22, the government had announced a two-phase election would be held on April 26 and 30, under supervision of the state police. Although the government later offered a more equitable division of districts for the polls, to be held in two phases, it failed to satisfy the SEC.
The court on Friday observed that the state could not arbitrarily announce poll dates, without "effective consultation" with the SEC. The court also found no logic in the government's opposition to deployment of central forces.
The Banerjee government, however, seems in no mood to accept on Friday's order and is set to appeal to a bigger bench of the HC. Panchayat minister Subrata Mukherjee said, "The HC's order is impractical. It is not possible to provide a list of election observers by tomorrow. Also, unless we do know the dates, how can we arrange security?"
Adding: "We want the panchayat election to take place at the earliest. But, given on Friday's order, we have no option but to move a division bench."
Later, at a public rally, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said, "Let me assure the development work at panchayats will not get affected. Election will take place at right time. We understand the law well."
The opposition Left and Congress parties criticised the state's attitude. They alleged the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) was not in favour of panchayat elections now, as the Saradha scam had put the party on the backfoot.
"It is a political decision taken by the TMC, that they do not want rural polls to take place now. They fear they will not do well in the current scenaio," said CPI-M leader Goutam Deb.
The opposition parties noted the panchayat bodies would have to be dissolved in June and if elections are not held by then, the administration would take charge and have complete control.
VOTING TUSSLE
March 22, 2013: West Bengal govt announces two-phase panchayat polls, on April 26 and 30
March 25: State Election Commission (SEC) writes to government to reconsider poll dates. Seeks three-stage poll and deployment of central forces
March 26: Govt responds to the letter and proposes more equitable division of districts in the two phases as compromise formula. Says ready for deployment of police from neighbouring states, if needed
March 28: SEC refuses to notify the dates. State Election Commissioner Mira Pande meets Governor M K Narayanan. Stays firm on demand for central forces.
March 29: RRuling TMC alleges collusion between Mira Pande and opposition parties. Says series of letters sent by SEC to state govt might have been drafted in the office of a political party
April 1: SEC moves high court. Appeals for dismissal of government's notice on rural poll dates. Seeks HC direction for deployment of central forces
April 10: Court says keeping the importance of the matter in mind, it would hear the case for more than an hour after normal court hours. SEC had requested for early disposal
May 10: HC directs three-phase poll, with security arrangement as desired by poll panel.
