TMC's Saket Gokhale alleges Election Commission bias, raises concerns over fairness in WB bypolls
Kolkata: TMC MP Saket Gokhale has publicly criticised the Election Commission of India (ECI) over what he describes as alarming inaction and bias regarding key issues related to the upcoming bypolls in West Bengal. Gokhale revealed that on 8th November, the TMC had urgently requested a meeting with the full bench of the ECI to discuss serious concerns over the bypolls. However, despite continuous follow-ups, the ECI allegedly did not respond. By the morning of 9th November, TMC had escalated its efforts, sending a delegation of five MPs led by Floor Leaders from both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha to Delhi. When the delegation visited the ECI around 3 p.m. and submitted letters outlining their concerns, they were still met with silence.
According to Gokhale, the TMC’s worries centre around two critical issues. Firstly, he pointed to the deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) in West Bengal, claiming that CAPF personnel are operating independently, without required cooperation with the local police—a violation of ECI protocols. Additionally, Gokhale stated that CAPF members have been visiting residents’ homes, threatening them to vote for the BJP. Secondly, Gokhale raised an issue over recent remarks by a BJP minister who reportedly told West Bengal Police officers to "remove the national emblem from your uniform and put a slipper instead," a statement he condemned as deeply disrespectful.
Gokhale expressed frustration that, despite TMC’s repeated efforts, the ECI responded only on 10th November, granting an appointment at 3:30 p.m., just 90 minutes before the campaign period ended. He asserted that this timing rendered the meeting almost pointless, leaving little time to address these urgent concerns before the close of campaigning.
Gokhale alleged that the ECI’s delayed response hints at an inclination to favour the BJP, facilitating interference in the electoral process. He described the situation as a “disturbing trend” in India’s democracy, expressing dismay over the apparent lack of fairness from an institution meant to safeguard impartial elections. Gokhale stressed that the ECI must remember its duty to uphold free and fair elections, not act as a tool for political interests.
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Pakistan reports two more polio cases; Total tally now 52
ISLAMABAD: At least two more cases of poliovirus were reported in Pakistan, taking the number of infections to 52 so far this year, a report said on Friday.
“The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health has confirmed the detection of two more wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) cases in Pakistan," an official statement said.
The fresh infections — a boy and a girl — were reported from the Dera Ismail Khan district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province.
“Genetic sequencing of the samples collected from the children is underway," the statement read. Dera Ismail Khan, one of the seven polio-endemic districts of southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, has reported five polio cases so far this year.
Of the 52 cases in the country this year, 24 are from Balochistan, 13 from Sindh, 13 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and one each from Punjab and Islamabad.
There is no cure for polio. Only multiple doses of the oral polio vaccine and completion of the routine vaccination schedule for all children under the age of five can keep them protected.
