Calcutta High Court likely to decide fate of Bengal panchayat poll today
Kolkata, Apr 16 (IBNS): The Calcutta High Court on Monday will hear the pleas challenging the State Election Commission's rescinding of its own order of extension of nomination filing deadline for the Bengal panchayat poll, which is uncertain at the present moment, media reports said.
The high court on Apr 12 stalled all proceedings of the poll until its fresh order, which is likely to be passed on Monday.
The opposition parties moved Supreme Court after the SEC, in the wake of reports of pre-poll panchayat violence, extended the nomination filing deadline to only rescind it within hours.
The Calcutta HC also asked the SEC, which is accused of working in terms of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) by the opposition, to submit the details of how many nominations have been filed so far by all parties.
The directive by the bench came after BJP, Left and Congress alleged that the TMC resorted to violence to hinder the filing of nominations by opposition candidates.
In the state's Birbhum district, the ruling party has already registered victory uncontested, under the guidance of TMC strongman and district party president Anubrata Mandal.
Though the state BJP moved Supreme Court, the apex court referred the case to the Calcutta High Court last week.
Downplaying the claims, the TMC pinned the blame on the poor organisation of the Opposition in the state as the sole reason for the lack of nomination filings by Left, BJP and Congress.
Ever since the poll dates have been announced by the SEC, the eastern state has witnessed widespread violence by the TMC and emerging principal opposition BJP.
The poll will take place in three phases on May 1, 3 and 5. The results of the poll will be declared on May 8.
Panchayat poll in the state is significant as it is considered to be crucial for the General Elections, which will be held next in 2019.
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