BJP Calls For Deferment Of 108 West Bengal Municipalities Poll By 4 Weeks In View Of COVID-19

BJP spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya informed reporters that the two requests will be submitted to the State Election Commission on Monday.

Representational Image. (Source: Getty Images)

New Delhi: Due to the state's current COVID-19 crisis, the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) on Sunday proposed delaying elections in 108 civic bodies in West Bengal, which were slated to be held in February end, by four weeks.

The party also asked that the results of the civic elections in four of the state's municipal corporations, which will be held on February 12, and the 108 municipalities, which will be held on February 27, be announced on the same day, PTI reported.

BJP spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya informed reporters that the two requests will be submitted to the State Election Commission on Monday.

"The daily COVID death figures are still alarming. The number of fresh cases is also quite high in districts. In the present situation we are of the view that the municipal poll in 108 civic bodies, slated for February 27, be put off by at least four weeks," Bhattacharya was quoted by PTI in its report.

TMC senior leader and state minister Firhad Hakim reacted angrily to the BJP's demands. "Aware that the result of the municipal poll everywhere will go against them, BJP leaders are now asking for deferment of the municipal poll in 108 civic boards. They only want to buy more time," he said.

(With Inputs From PTI)