Kolkata, 18 March (H.S.): The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday questioned whether ensuring free, fair and violence-free elections in West Bengal was solely the responsibility of the Election Commission of India (ECI) or whether the state government also shared equal responsibility.

The observation was made by a division bench comprising Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Partha Sarathi Sen while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by West Bengal BJP president and Rajya Sabha MP Samik Bhattacharya. The petition sought court intervention to ensure 100 per cent security at all polling booths during the upcoming Assembly elections.

During the hearing, Advocate General Kishor Datta, appearing for the state government, argued that as an autonomous body, the ECI should not blindly follow instructions from the Union government in the matter.

He also submitted that since the petitioner is the state president of the ruling party at the Centre, which is also the principal opposition party in West Bengal, it was natural to assume that the PIL had been filed at the instance of the Union government.

In response, the division bench questioned whether it was not also the responsibility of the state government, along with the ECI, to ensure free and fair elections.

Additional Solicitor General Ashok Chakraborty objected to the state’s argument that the PIL was politically motivated. He told the court that such remarks amounted to an insult to both the Election Commission and the Union government and requested that his objection be recorded.

The next hearing in the matter has been scheduled for March 20.

The West Bengal Assembly elections will be held in two phases on April 23 and April 29. Polling will be held in 152 constituencies in the first phase and 142 in the second phase. The counting of votes will take place on May 4.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh