INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
The Supreme Court said that the Calcutta High Court is already seized of the matter
grievances over the deadline for filing of nominations for the West Bengal panchayat polls.The top court said that the Calcutta High Court
is already seized of the matter and had passed an order yesterday staying the State Election Commission's (SEC) decision to recall its order
extending the deadline by a day.A bench of justices RK Agrawal and AM Sapre requested the Calcutta High Court to consider the matter
tomorrow in accordance with the law.The West Bengal unit of BJP had moved the top court, hours after the state poll panel suddenly recalled
its decision extending till yesterday the last date for filing of nominations for next month's panchayat election in the state, allegedly
under pressure from the ruling Trinamool Congress.The BJP, in its petition, had said it was seeking protection of the right of its
candidates to enable them to collect and deposit the nomination forms and participate in the panchayat elections, scheduled to be held on
May 1, May 3 and May 5.It had said the state poll panel had on Monday announced that the last date for the nominations has been extended by
one day, while acknowledging the fact that several complaints were received regarding candidates being obstructed from filing
nominations.The party said that "in absolute colourable exercise of powers and in utter disregard to the observations of this court suddenly
at around 11 PM on April 10, the WB State Election Commission has passed a fresh order thereby recalling and rescinding the previous order
dated April 9, 2018".The top court had earlier asked the West Bengal state election commission to "ensure fair and free" panchayat poll in
the state and take appropriate steps to allay the apprehensions of the BJP or other candidates of not being allowed to contest the
elections.It had, however, refused to interfere with the poll process, saying that with the April 2 notification of the State Election
Commission, the poll election process has been set in motion.
