Poll Violence in West Bengal: Election Commission Cuts Short Campaigning For Nine Constituencies by 20 Hours; PM Narendra Modi To Hold Rally In State Tomorrow
Taking note of violence during Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Amit Shah’s roadshow in Kolkata, the Election Commission on Wednesday cut short poll campaign in West Bengal.
Kolkata, May 15: Taking note of incidents of poll violence in West Bengal, the Election Commission on Wednesday cut short poll campaign in the state by a day. The campaigning on the remaining nine constituencies which was earlier scheduled to end on May 17 at 5 pm will now end after 10 pm tomorrow. The poll panel also invoked Article 324 for the first time. The EC said, “This is probably the first time that ECI has invoked Article 324 in this manner but it may not be last in cases of repetition of lawlessness and violence which vitiate the conduct of polls in a peaceful manner.” Kolkata Uttar Lok Sabha Constituency in West Bengal: Candidates, Current MP, Polling Date And Election Results 2019.
The panel added that it was deeply anguished at the vandalism done to the statue of Vidyasagar and hoped that the vandals should be traced by the state administration. Meanwhile, Additional Director General (ADG) CID was relieved from his duties and attached to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). He will report to the MHA by 10 am tomorrow. The EC also relieved Principal Secretary Home for having interfered in process of conducting polls by directing WB Chief Election Officer. Now, Chief Secretary will look after the Home Department.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a rally in the West Bengal on May 16. Yesterday, violence broke out during Shah’s roadshow in Kolkata. According to reports, Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) members hurled bricks at Vidyasagar College at Shankar Ghose Lane in Kolkata. Stones were also pelted at Shah's convoy from a college hostel on Bidhan Sarani.
The nine constituencies which are going for polls in the seventh phase of the general elections are - Dum Dum, Barasat, Basirhat, Jaynagar, Mathurapur, Jadavpur, Diamond Harbour, South and North Kolkata. The counting of votes will take place on May 23.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 15, 2019 08:12 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).