West Bengal Governor Bose summoned State Election Commissioner Rajeev Sinha
Kolkata (IANS). West Bengal Governor C.V. Anand Bose has called State Election Commissioner (SEC) Rajeev Sinha to Raj Bhavan again on Sunday. As per reports, he has been summoned to inquire about the measures taken to ensure free and fair elections for the three-tier panchayat polls in the state.
Even before this, the Governor had summoned Sinha in this matter. However, at that time Sinha expressed his inability to attend the Governor’s House. Soon after, the governor refused to accept his joining letter and returned it to the state secretariat. Now it remains to be seen whether the State Election Commissions come forward or not.
However, sources in the commission said Sinha is likely to appear at the Raj Bhavan on Sunday evening. On Saturday itself, the Governor had directed the police to immediately arrest and take action against the killer of Purulia-based Trinamool Congress leader Dhananjay Choubey.
On June 22, the governor held the state election commissioner responsible for the bloodshed in the state over the upcoming elections for the three-tier panchayat system. Talking to reporters that day, the Governor had said that he appointed the State Election Commissioner. I expressed confidence in him that he would ensure free and fair elections. But I think the common people are disappointed. There was so much bloodshed.
The governor’s remarks came in the wake of a strong remark by Calcutta High Court chief TS Sivagnanam on June 21, in which he advised the state election commission that he should step down if he is unable to perform his duty. .
Justice Sivaganam had said that in that case the governor would appoint someone else. So far 10 people have died in election-related violence during the last 17 days since the election dates were announced on June 8. The panchayat elections are to be held on July 8 and the counting of votes will take place on July 11.