BJP, CPI(M) MOVE HC AS VIOLENCE MARS POLLS

KOLKATA: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) moved separate petitions before the Calcutta high court on Monday alleging widespread violence and rigging during the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) elections on Sunday.

The petitions, which also demanded a re-poll, were filed before the division bench of chief justice Prakash Shrivastava and justice Rajarshi Bhardwaj. The petitions will be heard on December 23, said lawyers aware of the developments.

The results to the polls are to be announced on Tuesday.

Three people were injured in a crude bomb explosion near Taki Boy’s School in north-east Kolkata on Sunday. There was also chaos inside at least two polling booths, and over a dozen sporadic clashes broke out leading to at least 70 arrests. Five candidates, including one from the Trinamool Congress (TMC), were injured.

While opposition parties alleged rampant violence and electoral malpractice, chief minister Mamata Banerjee and the state election commission said on Sunday that the polls were peaceful. After casting her vote, the chief minister said: “I am happy people voted peacefully. Kolkata Police is carrying out its duties efficiently.”

BJP and CPI(M) leaders also held protests in Kolkata on Monday. “The election was a farce. Police worked under instructions from Mamata Banerjee who is also the home minister,” said BJP state vice-president Jay Prakash Majumdar.

The TMC brushed aside the allegations. “None of these parties could find candidates to contest the polls and are now making lame excuses...,” said state minister Firhad Hakim.