HC rejects PIL seeking cancellation of Adhikari’s candidature from Bhabanipur

The Calcutta High Court on Monday rejected a PIL seeking cancellation of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari’s candidature in the Bhabanipur constituency, which will go to polls in the second phase on April 29.

Adhikari is pitted against Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee in the constituency.

The petitioner sought the rejection of Adhikari’s candidature, alleging that he had made some comments that went against the secular fabric of the nation.

However, the petitioner could not provide any satisfactory answer to the court’s query as to under which provision of the Constitution the candidature should be canceled.

A division bench presided by Chief Justice Sujoy Paul rejected the petition, refusing to admit it for hearing. Adhikari’s lawyer Billwadal Bhattacharya claimed that the petition was moved with a political motive to affect the candidature of Adhikari from Bhabanipur. 

The first phase of elections to the 294-member West Bengal assembly was held on April 23. Votes will be counted on May 4.