West Bengal Bypolls: EC to deploy 52 companies of central forces

The Election Commission has decided to deploy 19 companies of central forces in high voltage Bhabanipur alone: the highest among the three constituencies that go to bypolls. A Public Interest Litigation has already been filed complaining that the chief secretary of the state has overstepped his limits in requesting the EC to conduct an election in Bhabanipur else that would lead to a 'constitutional crisis'

Kolkata: The Election Commission (EC) of India is likely to deploy 52 companies of central forces for the upcoming by-elections in three assembly constituencies in West Bengal, including the high-voltage Bhabanipur bypoll from where Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is contesting.

The EC has decided to deploy 19 companies of central forces in Bhabanipur alone, the highest among the three constituencies, according to sources. The rest of the 33 will be divided between Jangipur and Samserganj in Murshidabad district.

Meanwhile, 15 companies of central forces have already reached the state, of which 8 companies have been deployed in Bhabanipur for pre-poll area domination. The rest of the 7 companies of forces have been sent to Murshidabad district. Of the 15 companies of central forces that have come to the state, 7 are from CRPF, 4 are from BSF, 2 are from SSB, and one company each is from CISF and ITBP.

The bypolls in all three constituencies will be held on September 30 and the results will be announced on October 3.

The election in the Bhabanipur assembly constituency has been marred with controversy.

A public interest litigation (PIL) has already been filed against the chief secretary of the state alleging he has overstepped his limits in requesting the EC to conduct an early election in Bhabanipur, else that would lead to a "constitutional crisis." The case is pending before the High Court and is likely to be heard on Monday.

Besides, BJP candidate Priyanka Tibrewal has objected to Mamata's nomination alleging suppression of information in her affidavit. In a letter to the Returning Officer of Bhabanipur Assembly Constituency, Tibrewal's chief election agent Sajal Ghosh said that Mamata has not disclosed five criminal cases pending against her in her affidavit.

Giving details of the cases, Ghosh said that the Chief Minister has been booked under sections 120B (criminal conspiracy), Section 153A (promoting enmity), and Section 338 (causing grievous hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others) of Indian Penal Code in several police stations of Assam including Geeta Nagar police station, Panbazar police station, Jagiroad police station, Lakhimpur police station, and Udharbond police station.

The commission is yet to take a decision on that.

(IANS)