Resolve dispute by weekend, HC says on poll row

The Calcutta high court on Thursday urged counsel of the State Election Commission (SEC) and the West Bengal government to utilise “the weekend” and work out a solution to their continuing dispute over the timing and manner of holding the West Bengal panchayat polls.

The Calcutta high court on Thursday urged counsel of the State Election Commission (SEC) and the West Bengal government to utilise “the weekend” and work out a solution to their continuing dispute over the timing and manner of holding the West Bengal panchayat polls.

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After hearing both the sides, justice Biswanath Somadder said: “Mr Pal (Samaraditya Pal, SEC counsel), Mr Chatterjee (Bimal Chatterjee, advocate-general) — you have the entire weekend. Sit at the bar library and discuss the matter excluding others — only you two. Something can be worked out. If nothing comes out, the court is there to resolve.”

The judge’s suggestion came after the advocate-general stated the new proposal of the government to hold the polls on May 5 and 8.

While Pal argued the state government had unilaterally issued the notification without any “effective consultation with the SEC”, the advocate-general said the state was confident of ensuring free and fair polls with its police.