Kolkata, March 9: In the lead-up to the West Bengal Assembly elections, various political parties in the state have urged the Election Commission to conduct the polls in one or two phases. The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) stands alone in its differing opinion.
The West Bengal BJP has previously stated that it believes elections should be held in one or two phases. They argue that this approach is far more suitable than the lengthy seven to eight-phase elections that could stretch over six weeks.
On Monday, the West Bengal BJP presented a list of 16 demands to the Election Commission of India (ECI), with the primary request being to hold the elections quickly and in fewer phases.
Delegations from the state units of CPI(M) and Congress, who met with the ECI the day before, echoed this sentiment. CPI(M) state secretary and Politburo member Md. Salim emphasized that their party also supports conducting the elections in fewer phases.
Meanwhile, former Rajya Sabha member Pradeep Bhattacharya from Congress highlighted that for them, ensuring the elections are completely free and fair is more critical than the number of phases.
Only the TMC delegation did not support this demand. Urban Development Minister and Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim stated that the meeting with the ECI was not the appropriate forum to discuss polling phases.
The ECI noted that during discussions with all political parties, nearly all expressed a preference for elections to be held in one or two phases. They also requested that any potential violent or anti-social elements be kept at bay during the elections, ensuring voters do not face fear or intimidation.
BJP, Congress, and CPI(M) are advocating for early elections to minimize voter inconvenience and enhance security. In contrast, the Trinamool Congress does not support the idea of conducting polls in one or two phases.
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My name is Ganpat Singh Choughan. I am an experienced content writer with 7 years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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