The Calcutta High Court has directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to immediately shut down the offices of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)], situated adjacent to a polling station in the Jadavpur Constituency. This decisive action came in response to a plea from Dhiman Kundu, an office bearer of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Jadavpur Unit, who highlighted a significant breach of election guidelines.
Justice Rai Chattopadhyay, presiding over the case, initially showed a strong inclination towards demolishing these temporary structures, signaling a robust stance against violations of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). The judge’s stern view was influenced by the 2007 guidelines issued by the ECI, which clearly bar any political party or candidate from setting up offices within 200 meters of polling stations.
“The ECI is directed to immediately close down the said offices,” the Court ordered, reflecting an urgent need to rectify the situation.
The plea brought forward by BJP’s Dhiman Kundu underscored the proximity of the TMC office to the polling station at Dinabandhu Andrews College in Jadavpur. Kundu’s petition called for the immediate demolition of these unauthorized structures, emphasising that their presence could unduly influence voters and compromise the fairness of the electoral process.
During the proceedings, the ECI’s counsel admitted the existence of not just the TMC office but also another office belonging to the CPI(M), both of which have been operational for a long period. This admission further strengthened the BJP’s stance that these offices violate the ECI’s rules designed to ensure free and fair elections.
Despite the initial strong language advocating for demolition, the Court acknowledged the ECI’s practice of closing such offices 48 hours before polling day, as mandated under the MCC. However, the ECI clarified that the responsibility for demolition lay with the District Magistrate.
Justice Chattopadhyay’s ruling ultimately refrained from ordering immediate demolition but mandated the closure of these offices. This decision ensures compliance with the election guidelines while recognizing the established process followed by the ECI.
“The Court’s direction is a significant victory for the BJP and for the principles of electoral fairness,” said Advocate Amit Halder, who represented the petitioner. The BJP has long championed the cause of clean and transparent elections, and this ruling is a testament to their efforts to uphold the integrity of the electoral process.
Voting in the Jadavpur constituency for the ongoing Lok Sabha elections is scheduled to take place on June 1, 2024. The closure of these party offices is a crucial step towards ensuring that the election is conducted in a free and fair manner, free from undue influence and in strict adherence to the established guidelines.
This court order serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to the ECI’s regulations and supports the BJP’s commitment to maintaining the sanctity of the democratic process.
Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sharply criticised the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal, accusing the party of “snatching the rights of Other Backward Classes (OBC) youths” to facilitate appeasement politics and engage in what he termed “vote jihad.” This statement comes in the wake of the Calcutta High Court’s recent decision to strike down the OBC status of several communities in the state, which had been granted since 2010. The court found these reservations to be illegal in terms of vacancies in services and posts.
In a fiery speech at a rally in Barasat, PM Modi condemned the TMC’s actions, asserting, “The court has exposed the treachery of the Trinamool Congress with the OBCs. The party snatched the rights of OBC youths to support its appeasement politics and ‘vote jihad’. The TMC has betrayed the OBCs of West Bengal.”
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee responded to the ruling by declaring she would “not accept” the verdict, alleging it was influenced by the BJP. Her refusal to acknowledge the court’s decision has prompted further criticism from the Prime Minister.
“It is quite evident that TMC doesn’t like those who expose its treachery and lies. I am astonished to see how the party is questioning the judiciary. Don’t they have any faith in the judiciary and our Constitution?” Modi questioned, expressing his dismay over the TMC’s stance.
“The way they are attacking judges is unprecedented. I would like to know whether the TMC would now let loose its goons on judges as they are exposed?” the Prime Minister added, suggesting that the TMC’s actions could lead to intimidation of judicial authorities.
PM Modi also took the opportunity to criticise Mamata Banerjee for her remarks about religious institutions such as the Ramakrishna Mission and the Bharat Sevashram Sangha. “TMC can’t tolerate truth. Whoever tries to bring out TMC’s truth is targeted by the TMC. A TMC MLA said, ‘Hinduon ko Bhagirathi mein baha denge.’ Sadhus of Bengal humbly requested the TMC to rectify their mistake. But TMC started abusing the sadhus,” he stated.
He went on to highlight instances of disrespect shown to religious figures and institutions, accusing the TMC of humiliation to appease its vote bank. “Saints of great institutions like Ramakrishna Mission, ISKCON, Bharat Sevashram Sangha were humiliated. This is being done to appease their vote bank and further the ‘Vote Jihad’,” the PM asserted.
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