Siliguri, 27th February: Darjeeling District Magistrate Shashank Sethi, today, held a meeting with all the political parties at Siliguri State Guest House.
Through the meeting, the Darjeeling DM gave detailed information regarding the guidelines issued by the Election Commission to the representatives of various political parties. The representatives also presented their request for conducting a peaceful election to the DM.
The meeting was attended by Joy Chakraborty on behalf of CPM, Praveen Agrawal on behalf of BJP, Jeevan Majumdar on behalf of Congress and Milan Dutta on behalf of Trinamool Congress.
Addressing the media after the meeting, CPM representative Joy Chakraborty stated that the DM gave information and guidelines to be followed for the upcoming assembly polls through today’s meeting. He said that a demand for a peaceful election in the district has been presented to the DM on behalf of his party in the meeting.
Likewise, BJP’s Siliguri Organizational President Praveen Agarwal said that the administrative meeting was very beneficial. He said that all parties present in the meeting have been given a rate chart in regards to the election and have been asked to submit their proposal to the DM by tomorrow. He said that his party will campaign as per the instructions of the Election Commission.
Meanwhile, Congress leader Jeevan Majumdar said that they have been asked to remove all campaign posters and banners put up in the city. To which he, on behalf of his party, has assured to take all down within two days. He also raised the matter of making some changes in the rate chart given for election spendings.
While Trinamool Congress leader Milan Dutta said that the elections will be peaceful and that there is no doubt and concern regarding it. He spoke on the two new rules introduced for this year’s assembly polls. The first being the e-nomination and the second allowing voters above the age of 80-years to vote at home.
It is to be noted, the Election Commission of India announced the dates for the upcoming assembly polls in the state on Friday. Making it the longest ever polls in the state, West Bengal elections will be held in eight phases from March 27 to April 29. Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Jalpaiguri districts will vote on the 5th phase of polling i.e. 17th April, 2021. Counting of votes for all five assembly elections will be conducted on 02nd May, 2021.