KMC Polls Central force not needed in Kolkata civic polls, says Calcutta HC; BJP to move SC
Kolkata/IBNS: Agreeing with the single bench’s verdict, the division bench of Calcutta High Court on Friday night ruled no central force was needed for the Dec 19 civic polls in Kolkata.
The bench, however, said the state administration and State Election Commission will be responsible for any violence if it occurs on the polling day.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which wants the central force deployment anticipating violence by the ruling party Trinamool Congress (TMC), is likely to challenge the verdict in the Supreme Court on Saturday.
Earlier taking a dig at the BJP, TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee said, “Anticipating defeat, the BJP will try to create violence but our party should be aware of it.”
“We will have to fight the polls democratically and not indulge in any kind of violence,” Banerjee said in a message to his party workers.
West Bengal LoP and BJP MLA, Suvendu Adhikari, said in north Kolkata, “The TMC will defeat if people are allowed to vote.”
The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), dominated by the TMC which has around 125 of 144 seats, will go to polls on Sunday.
