SC refuses to entertain WB BJP plea for deployment of central forces for Kolkata civic polls

The petition said that it is seeking adequate security development in light of the targeted post-poll violence that occurred in Bengal in May

The Supreme Court on Monday declined to consider a plea by the BJP for deployment of central forces for the Kolkata Municipal elections.

The top court told the party to approach the Calcutta High Court,

"We cannot take decisions with respect to the requirement of central force. The High Court will be in a better position to know the situation," a bench presided over L Nageswara Rao said.

Senior advocate Maninder Singh, appearing for the BJP, contended that there were widespread threats of violence and the BJP candidates were being threatened to withdraw from the contest and the police did not register any FIR.

The bench, however, said, "The problem is if we start taking this on Article 32 petition, there would be no end".

On this, Singh withdrew the petition with the liberty to approach the High Court.

The petition was filed by the BJP through Sukanta Majumdar, Member of Parliament.

Acting on a petition by the TMC alleging violence, a separate bench of the top court had on November 25 ordered the Centre to deploy two additional company of central paramilitary forces in Tripura as expeditiously as possible for municipal elections being held on the day.

Around 40.5 lakh voters of Kolkata will decide the fate of 950 candidates on December 19. The counting of votes in the 144 wards of the civic body will be held on December 21, according to the State Election Commission notification issued last month.

Watch the latest DH Videos here: