The Election Commission has suspended an official in West Bengal’s Panihati Assembly constituency in the North 24 Parganas district for allegedly helping prepare campaign material for the Bharatiya Janata Party, The Indian Express reported on Sunday.
The poll panel acted against the official, a sector assistant named Atanu Chakraborty, on the basis of a video that purportedly showed him helping assemble BJP flags. Trinamool Congress leader Kunal Ghosh had shared the video on social media.
A notification issued by the returning officer said that Chakraborty’s alleged close links with a political party and his participation in its campaign amounted to a “serious violation” of the Representation of the People Act, according to The Indian Express.
Chakraborty was relieved of his responsibilities as the sector assistant and was sent a notice asking him to explain within 24 hours why he should not face penal action. The official reportedly works as an assistant teacher at a primary school.
While the official is under suspension, he has been barred from leaving the headquarters without prior permission, and has been directed to remain available for the inquiry.
The BJP has fielded the mother of the doctor who was raped and murdered at Kolkata’s RG Kar Hospital and Medical College in August 2024 as its candidate in Panihati. The Trinamool Congress has fielded Tirthankar Ghosh from the seat. Tirthankar Ghosh is the son of party leader Nirmal Ghosh, who has held the seat since 2011.
The elections will be held in two phases on April 23 and April 29. The votes will be counted on May 4.
BJP member booked in Kerala
A BJP member was booked in Kerala for allegedly distributing kits containing household items to voters ahead of the Assembly elections, The Indian Express reported on Sunday.
A flying squad intercepted the unauthorised distribution of the kits, worth Rs 900 each, from the Olari area near Thrissur, the newspaper reported. About 100 kits had already been distributed in the locality by the time the officials arrived at the spot.
A first information report has been filed under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita pertaining to bribery and bribery during elections, and under a provision of the Representation of the People Act pertaining to corrupt practices, The Indian Express reported.
The polls in Kerala will take place in a single phase on April 9, and the votes will be counted on May 4.
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