EC asks West Bengal to transfer officials by 10 am Wednesday
The West Bengal government, Tuesday, wrote to the Election Commission urging it to reconsider its decision on transfer officials ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.
Written By Ajith Vijay Kumar|Last Updated: Apr 08, 2014, 07:15 PM IST|Source: Exclusive
Zee Media Bureau/Ajith Vijay Kumar
Kolkata: The Election Commission stuck to its order on transfer of officials in West Bengal, saying that it wanted compliance by 10 am on Wednesday.
The West Bengal government, Tuesday, had written to the EC urging it to reconsider its decision on transfer of officials ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.
"Contending that the removal of the officers would create law and order problems, Chief Secretary Sanjay Mitra wrote to the EC urging it to reconsider its decision to transfer the officers," a news agency quoted a source in the office of the chief electoral officer as saying.
The response was sent by the state chief secretary ahead of the noon deadline set by the poll panel for transfer of five SPs and one DM.
Later, a report suggested that the state government has said it was prepared to release the officials from their current posts, but refused to accept those named by the EC as their replacements.
Mamata Banerjee governmnet`s move came amid indications that that the EC may be forced to take tough action. Reports claimed that the EC may go to the extent of cancelling elections in the districts where the TMC government is acting adamant against transfer orders issued by the poll panel.
The Chief Election Commissioner had ordered transfer of five superintendents of police (SPs) - Malda, Birbhum, Burdwan, West Midnapore and Mushidabad - and one district magistrate (North 24-Parganas) after opposition parties complained against these officers, accusing them of being biased.
The Election Commission operated within its rights by ordering the transfers of the senior officials as the poll panel is constitutionally empowered to do so after the model code of conduct comes into force. And, it is the same constitution she swore to abide by when she took the oath of office as the Chief Minister.
However, Mamata would have none of it and has openly turned defiant against the EC. She declared, "I challenge the Election Commission to remove anybody while I am in charge."
"How can the Election Commission transfer and name new officers without consulting the state government?" Banerjee asked.
"You will only listen to the Congress...to make the Congress win, BJP win. You will have to take my resignation. I will not remove anybody," she said.
During a rally she said, "I heard that our five SPs have been given transfer orders. Without even asking the state the (new) names have also been decided. You are the Election Commission, I respect you. But you should also respect others. You should remember we are not like other political parties. Whatever the media will say you will listen. Whatever Congress or BJP say, you will listen. Is it to facilitate a Congress or BJP win? You take my resignation only then will I listen to you. I will not bow my head. It is an Election Commission conspiracy, a Congress party conspiracy, a BJP conspiracy and CPM conspiracy. I will fight alone. I do not care for conspiracies."
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