shot-button
Ganesh Chaturthi Ganesh Chaturthi
Home > News > India News > Article > West Bengal panchayat polls Holding election cant be licence for violence

West Bengal panchayat polls: ‘Holding election can’t be licence for violence’

Updated on: 21 June,2023 08:39 AM IST  |  New Delhi
Agencies |

West Bengal panchayat polls: SC dismisses pleas challenging HC order on deployment of central forces

West Bengal panchayat polls: ‘Holding election can’t be licence for violence’

Employees at Raj Bhavan control room for issues relating to threats and intimidation, ahead of the panchayat polls, in Kolkata. Pic/PTI

The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to interfere with an order of the Calcutta High Court directing the State Election Commission (SEC) to requisition and deploy central forces across West Bengal for the July 8 panchayat polls.


The pleas were filed by the West Bengal government and the State Election Commission. “Holding election cannot be a license for violence,” a vacation bench of Justice B V Nagarathna and Justice Manoj Misra observed during the hearing.


“The fact remains that the tenor of the order of the high court is ultimately to ensure that there is free and fair election conducted in the entire state of West Bengal since the state is conducting the said elections for the local bodies on a single date and having regard to the number of seats which are going to the polls,” the bench said.


The SEC’s counsel said it was not within the jurisdiction of the commission to requisition deployment of central forces for the conduct of elections, while the counsel for the state said sometimes facts and figures are different from the impressions.

The ruling Trinamool Congress asserted that the verdict will have no bearing on its electoral prospects. “We are confident about the victory of the TMC in the panchayat polls, based on the development work we have done in the last 12 years,” TMC MP Sougata Roy told PTI.

“We hope that the court’s order will be followed in letter and spirit. The TMC’s vote loot machinery has to be stopped at any cost,” Leader of the Opposition (BJP) Suvendu Adhikari said.

This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!

Register for FREE
to continue reading !

This is not a paywall.
However, your registration helps us understand your preferences better and enables us to provide insightful and credible journalism for all our readers.

Mid-Day Web Stories

Mid-Day Web Stories

This website uses cookie or similar technologies, to enhance your browsing experience and provide personalised recommendations. By continuing to use our website, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. OK