EC nodal officer yet to be traced
The officer went missing on Thursday
Krishnagar (WB), Apr 20: The Election Commission's nodal officer who has gone missing from his office here since Thursday afternoon is yet be traced, Nadia District Magistrate Sumit Gupta said Saturday.
The 30-year-old officer, Arnab Roy, was in-charge of EVMs and VVPATs for the Ranaghat parliamentary constituency.
The Nadia administration has lodged a missing complaint with the Kotwali police station at Krishnagar.
Roy's wife, Anisha Jash, also lodged a missing diary with the police on Thursday night.
"We are yet to spot our officer. The search is on for him," Gupta said.
Gupta rubbished rumours that Roy was spotted in Asansol, his hometown, in Paschim Bardhaman district.
"We have shared his photographs on social networking sites, with the police of other districts, with the media and with adjoining states. There is no news of him," he said.
Asked whether the officer was suffering from any psychological problem due to work-related stress, Gupta said, "I do not have any idea about that."
"But we have come to know about an earlier incident when Roy had gone missing for two days. He was a joint block development officer (BDO) then," the district magistrate said.
Rumours were rife that Roy had an altercation with the district magistrate a few days ago. Gupta, however, denied it.
On Thursday, Roy had left for work from his official residence and went to Bipradas Choudhury Polytechnic College, his current place of work.
He went missing from there. His vehicle was found parked outside the college.
Both of his mobile phones are switched off and the police traced their last location near Shantipur, around 18 km from Krishnagar.
Roy's wife dismissed that her husband was "depressed".
"I want to clarify that my husband was not depressed at all. He was absolutely normal and was not tensed with anything and I would like to stress that we have been in a healthy relationship," she told reporters after meeting police officers here Saturday morning.
The Ranaghat parliamentary constituency, considered to be a stronghold of the Trinamool Congress, will go to polls on April 29, during the fourth phase of the Lok Sabha elections.
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Speaker Khader dismisses BJP's charges of 'delay' in swearing-in of Jeevaraj as MLA
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Assembly Speaker U T Khader on Wednesday rejected opposition BJP's allegations of delaying the swearing-in of D N Jeevaraj as MLA, asserting that the process was being handled strictly in accordance with constitutional provisions and rules.
BJP candidate Jeevaraj, who had lost the 2023 Sringeri Assembly election to Congress leader T D Raje Gowda, was declared elected late Sunday night after reverification and recounting of postal ballots in compliance with a High Court order.
The recount reduced 255 votes from Gowda's tally, overturning his earlier victory margin of 201 votes and reversing the result.
The recount followed an election petition filed by Jeevaraj.
Addressing reporters, Khader maintained that there was no delay in administering the oath to Jeevaraj, who was declared elected from the Sringeri Assembly constituency after a High Court-ordered recount of postal ballots.
“Where have we delayed? The application was submitted at 11 am. If an application is given in the morning and by evening someone says it’s delayed — how is that a delay?” he said, dismissing the allegations.
The Speaker said the matter involved 'technical issues' that required examination before fixing a date for oath-taking.
“When such a matter comes, we also need to examine it and take a decision as per rules. If an application is given in the morning, at least 24 hours must be given,” he said.
Khader stressed that his role was bound by the Constitution and not influenced by political considerations.
“When an elected MLA asks for time, we must give it under the Constitution and law. Can we refuse? No, we have to give it,” he said, rejecting suggestions that he was acting under party pressure.
He also underlined the need for trust in democratic institutions amid the controversy.
“A democracy and parliamentary system must function on trust. Without that, how can democracy be strengthened? Trust is essential,” he said, cautioning against creating suspicion around constitutional positions.
On claims that the delay was linked to the ongoing political and legal dispute over the recount, Khader said the issue did not fall within his purview.
“My responsibility is to act as per the Constitution and rules. I will ensure that whatever is due to them is done as soon as possible,” the Speaker explained.
He said he had already communicated his position when contacted and would formally inform the concerned parties. “There is no delay, nor any intention to delay. I will discharge my duties as per the Constitution,” he said.
Khader also pointed to possible legal complications in hastily administering the oath.
“If I give the oath to one person and tomorrow the court declares someone else the winner, what happens then? Will it automatically cancel? Will confusion arise?” he asked, indicating the need for due diligence.
On concerns that Jeevaraj had lost over two years of tenure, the Speaker said representation was linked to that constituency rather than an individual.
“Whoever becomes the MLA represents the constituency. Benefits are not given to an individual,” he said, adding that issues of alleged irregularities should be examined by the Election Commission.
The remarks come after the Leader of Opposition BJP in the Karnataka Assembly, R Ashoka on Wednesday accused the Speaker of 'deliberately' delaying the oath and approached Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot seeking intervention, even suggesting that the Governor administer the oath if required.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah termed the process 'Vote Dacoity' by Jeevaraj and said an FIR has been registered against the newly elected Sringeri MLA.
Defending the recount process, Jeevaraj denied allegations of tampering, while the High Court has stayed an FIR filed against him in connection with the postal ballot issue.
