Bhangar, May 11: A supporter of an independent candidate, who was campaigning for panchayat polls in West Bengal, was shot dead this evening in Bhangar. The candidate was campaigning in Bhangar when the attack took place. The police have rushed to the spot. Bhangar is 25 kilometres from Kolkata.

Earlier today Left Front (LF) chairman Biman Bose raised concerns about the panchayat elections being held in a single phase. Bose said that holding the elections in a single phase would result in a 'bloodbath'. Bose also took a dig at Trinamool Congress (TMC) Birbhum district president Anubrata Mondal for criticising renowned Bengali poet Sankha Ghosh for writing a poem on the violence ahead of the rural polls. He said this is “unbecoming of a political leader.”

West Bengal panchayat elections are scheduled to be held on May 14. The Supreme Court yesterday asked the State Election Commission (SEC) to ensure free and fair polls. On Thursday, the apex court heard the West Bengal  SEC Plea challenging the Calcutta High Court order which directs it to accept the nominations of candidates who have filed their papers electronically within the stipulated time for the panchayat elections. the top court stayed the previous decision of a Division Bench of the Calcutta High Court that directed the SEC to accept nominations filed via e-mail.

In a setback to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the apex court also stayed the results on 18,000 uncontested seats and said unopposed seats in Bengal cannot be notified.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 11, 2018 07:07 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).