EC no to polls without central forces in Bengal

The ruling Trinamool Congress might not be keen on having Central forces around during the coming panchayat polls in West Bengal. But the state election commission has made it clear to the state government that the presence of the forces is a must. HT reports.

The ruling Trinamool Congress might not be keen on having Central forces around during the coming panchayat polls in West Bengal. But the state election commission has made it clear to the state government that the presence of the forces is a must.

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The ruling party has been resisting the deployment of forces, claiming that law and order is the responsibility of the state. Plus, the deployment would cost the cash-strapped state nearly Rs 350 crore, panchayat minister Subrata Mukherjee has said.

But given the possibility of political clashes, the deployment of central forces is a priority, a senior official said. In a letter on Tuesday, the commission had informed the government that the polls cannot be held without the presence of the forces.

2 hurt in CPM-TMC clash
Midnapore: Two persons were injured in a clash between CPM and Trinamool Congress activists at Kespur in West Midnapore district on Thursday. They have been admitted to a hospital in Midnapore.

(With PTI inputs)