Bengal Elections: Now, EC Bans BJP Leader From Campaigning For 24 Hours

Kolkata: The Election Commission (EC) on Thursday barred West Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh from campaigning for 24 hours over an unconstitutional remark.

Commenting on the CRPF firing which killed four people at Cooch Behar’s Sitalkuchi constituency during the fourth phase of election in West Bengal, Ghosh had said that more “Cooch Behar-like killings may happen if naughty boys like the ones who received bullets in Sitalkuchi” try to take law into their hands.

It may be recalled that EC had slapped a similar 24-hour ban on Trinamool Congress supremo and state chief minister Mamata Banerjee for urging Muslims not to divide votes during an election rally.

The EC has its hands full in the midst of a pitched battle in West Bengal where the ruling TMC faces a stern challenge from BJP. Besides keeping a rein on politicians, EC now also has to think of the alarming spike in coronavirus cases in the state.

As polls in the 294-seat assembly is being conducted in eight phases over a period of one month, thousands of people are attending rallies being addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, other BJP leaders and Trinamool heavyweights including Mamata.

The West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer has called an all-party meeting on Friday to remind leaders about instructions on campaigning during the pandemic and encourage more virtual meetings for the remaining three phases.