Kolkata civic elections: SC rejects BJP’s plea for central force

New Delhi, December 13, 2013 : .

The Supreme Court declined Monday to consider a plea from the BJP for a directive to West Bengals government, its state election panel, and other functionaries to develop an action plan that includes the deployment of enough central police officers to ensure free and fair municipal elections in KolkataManinder Singh (Senior Advocate), representing West Bengal BJP submitted to a bench led by Justice L.

Nageswara Rao stating that BJP nominees have been threatened after the finalization of the list for civic elections.According to him, though there have been complaints made against the police, no FIR was registered.

Singh was directed by the top court to withdraw his plea and move the highest court with grievances.The BJP had requested that the court hear its plea for direction to West Bengals government and other officials to create a detailed action plan to conduct municipal elections.

Singh was asked by the bench why, under Article 32 of Constitution, one petition can be filed directly at the Supreme Court.The court suggested that the high court might be requested to look into the question of central force deployment for civic elections - scheduled on December 19, - because it is better informed about security aspects.

The bench said: "The problem is if we start taking this on (Article) 32, there would be no end." The West Bengal BJP agreed to withdraw the plea from the top court.The plea filed by BJPs state President and MP Sukanta Majumdar, sought a direction to the state functionaries to produce a comprehensive action plan and deploy sufficient central police forces to ensure that free and fair municipal elections are held in Kolkata.

On November 25, the top court had directed the Home Ministry to provide two additional companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) to secure polling booths during the Tripura municipal polls.The top courts direction came on the Trinamool Congress and the Communist Party of India-Marxists petitions alleging that their candidates and supporters were not being allowed to cast their votes.

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