'When PM Himself Sits To...': TMC Criticises 7-Phase Poll Roster In Bengal, Says 'People Will Give Befitting Reply'

TMC's Rajya Sabha MP Sukhendu Sekhar Ray criticised the Election Commission for disregarding the views of the state government, labelling it as an affront to the federal structure of the country.

New Delhi: The Trinamool Congress (TMC) criticised the decision to conduct elections in seven phases for the 42 seats in West Bengal, arguing that there is no substantial justification for such a prolonged electoral process and claimed that it favours wealthier political parties.

Addressing a press conference, Chandrima Bhattacharya, the state's Finance Minister, expressed disappointment that the Election Commission did not consider the West Bengal government's proposal for a single or two-phase election. She contended that multi-phase elections tend to benefit parties with greater financial resources, providing them with an edge over others.

"We wanted a single or two-phase Lok Sabha election in West Bengal. Our views were that a multiple-phase election helps political parties with deeper pockets, and gives them an advantage over others,” Bhattacharya said.

Referring to the 2021 assembly elections, which were conducted in eight phases due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Bhattacharya questioned the necessity of seven phases for the upcoming polls and emphasised the absence of a valid rationale for such an extended electoral schedule.

"The 2021 assembly polls were conducted in eight phases and it was said that this was being done due to the Covid pandemic. What is the reason for holding elections in seven phases now? There is no valid reason," she said.

Asserting their expectation of impartiality from the Election Commission, Bhattacharya stated that her party hoped for fair conduct during the electoral process.

Meanwhile, TMC's Rajya Sabha MP Sukhendu Sekhar Ray criticised the Election Commission for disregarding the views of the state government, labelling it as an affront to the federal structure of the country.

“We fail to understand the reasons behind holding the election over such a long time. This is quite surprising," Ray said.

Reacting to the poll schedule, TMC leader Santanu Sen said, “The law and order situation in West Bengal is much better than in other BJP-ruled state. So logically and legitimately we demanded election in one phase. But the way the BJP holds sway over the Election Commission, this is not surprising. Just days ahead of the polls, the Prime Minister himself sits to appoint the Election Commissioner. So it is obvious that the top poll body is not neutral.”

“As far as Bengal is concerned, they (Centre) are always ready to malign the state. This is perhaps the first time since Independence that central forces were deployed in our state even before the poll roster was announced. However, it is unfortunate that BJP did not learn a lesson from the past. The state elections in 2021 also spanned across eight phases, yet they got a befitting reply from the people here. Even in the subsequent bypolls and panchayat elections, people in Bengal have made it very clear about their choice of governance,” he added.

“Conducting the election in seven phases is a deliberate attempt to disrupt the democratic process. This schedule only serves the interests of certain political factions,” TMC leader Ritabrata Banerjee said.

West Bengal, along with Bihar and UP, will witness elections across all seven phases, commencing on April 19 and concluding on June 1. Vote counting is scheduled for June 4.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the TMC secured 22 seats, while the BJP won 18 and the Congress clinched two seats in West Bengal.