SC refuses to entertain Suvendu Adhikari’s plea to re-assess SC/ST figures in Bengal for panchayat polls

The Supreme Court in the case Suvendu Adhikari v. State of WB And Ors observed, wherein the bench comprising of CJI DY Chandrachud and Justice JB Pardiwala refused to entertain a plea moved by Suvendu Adhikari, Leader of the Opposition, LOP in the West Bengal Assembly while seeking to re-assess the figures of SCS and STS ahead of the West Bengal Panchayat Polls. In the plea, Adhikari, Leader of the Opposition had challenged the order of order of Calcutta High Court, wherein the court rejected his plea against the two notifications concerning the computation of the population of SCS and STS or the Backward Classes in the State of Bengal for the purpose of reservation of seats in Panchayat Polls in West Bengal.

It has also been contended by Adhikari in his plea moved that there could not be two separate yardsticks for SC or STS and another for OBCS. Therefore, it has also been contended by him that the State Election Commission, which being along with the State Administration had favoured the current ruling party in the Panchayat Polls by manipulating data. Further, the West Bengal State Election Commission, WBSEC had begun the process of holding elections for the three-tier panchayat system. Thus, the said court declined declined to interfere in the process, when Adhikari approached the Calcutta High Court. During the proceedings, it has also been asked by the bench of CJI DY Chandrachud that how can this court stop them from holding elections?

It is already due in May, 2023. Accordingly, the court dismissed the plea and has refused to interfere with the order of Calcutta High Court, while noting that the interdicting an election was a serious matter. The counsel, Senior Advocate PS Patwalia represented the Suvendu Adhikari, Leader of the Opposition, LOP.