The Trinamool Congress has moved to the Calcutta High Court fearing the potential arrest of about 800 party workers as directed by the Election Commission of India ahead of the upcoming two-phase Assembly elections in West Bengal. The petition, filed by senior advocate and four-time Trinamool Congress Lok Sabha member Kalyan Banerjee, urges urgent court intervention in the matter.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Partha Sarathi Sen at the Calcutta High Court has accepted the plea. The first hearing is expected to take place on April 22, a day before the commencement of the first phase of the Assembly polls on April 23.
The Trinamool Congress is concerned that the ECI might act on its surveillance and arrest approximately 800 party workers before the elections. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has repeatedly voiced similar concerns during her recent campaign rallies, particularly about the possible arrests of polling and counting agents before the election.
With the party leadership being advised by the Chief Minister to prepare for potential arrests, the Trinamool Congress has now officially raised its concerns by approaching the Calcutta High Court. The Assembly elections are scheduled for April 24 and April 29, with 152 and 142 constituencies going to polls in the first and second phases, respectively. The election results will be announced on May 4.
Unprecedented security measures are in place for the elections, with 2,407 central forces companies deployed, including personnel from CAPF, IRB, and armed police units from other states, in the first phase. This security setup is in addition to the presence of West Bengal Police and Kolkata Police personnel.
