The cold war between the State Election Commission and the West Bengal Government over the control of district administrations after the notification of panchayat elections reached new height with the SEC on Friday dashing off a letter to the Government claiming its authority over the administration during the polls.
The SEC’s missive was in response to an earlier letter by the Government establishing its authority over the district and block officials — both police and otherwise.
While the Government argued that law and order was a State subject and that there was difference between the powers enjoyed by the national Election Commission and State commissions, the Bengal SEC invoked Article 243K of the Constitution iterating its power was the same — during the panchayat and the municipal polls — as that of the Central Commission after general elections are declared.
The State Commission and the Bengal Government had been at loggerheads over a host of issues including bringing of Central forces to conduct the elections. The dispute was finally taken to the High Court which ordered the two sides to conclude the poll process by July 15.
Finally, the State Government on Wednesday wrote to the Centre seeking 350 companies of Central forces to conduct the polls. Even if the requisite number of personnel arrives, there would be a shortfall of another 200 companies or 20,000 policemen, the Commission sources said, adding the “Government should have tried to arrange for forces much earlier and not at the last moment.”
Meanwhile, the left and the Congress leaders on Friday registered complaints against the ruling Trinamool workers for not allowing their candidates to file nomination. CPI(M) leader Rabin Deb who met the Commission officials on Friday said, “Throughout the districts, our candidates are being attacked and stopped from filing nomination. If this continues then the elections will turn into farce.”