A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Calcutta High Court challenging the appointment of Rajiva Sinha as the West Bengal State Election Commissioner. The hearing is expected to take place next week. Sinha was appointed as the SEC on June 7 and soon after, panchayat elections were announced on June 8 for July 8. The timing of the announcement was criticized by opposition parties, who felt the move was hasty.
Governor CV Ananda Bose previously cleared the appointment of Rajiva Sinha as State Election Commissioner but later refused to accept Sinha’s joining letter following the Calcutta High Court’s observations. The Court had previously ordered Central forces to be deployed in all districts of the state for the panchayat elections, and when Sinha found this difficult to execute, the Court suggested that he step down.
The development followed after Sinha failed to attend a discussion called by the Governor over the sensitive matter related to the Panchayat election issue. While the Governor eventually refused to accept Sinha’s joining letter, he previously cleared his appointment.
As some reports claimed, the Governor’s decision to revoke the SEC’s appointment letter was due to Sinha’s failure to attend a discussion regarding Central forces in preparation for the Panchayat elections. The Calcutta High Court ordered Central forces to be requisitioned and deployed in all districts of the state to maintain law and order during the Panchayat polls.
The PIL filed in the Calcutta High Court questions the legality of the State Election Commissioner’s appointment and raises concerns over the process of appointment, especially regarding the timing of Sinha’s appointment and the declaration of elections soon after. The hearing next week will decide whether the appointment of Rajiva Sinha as the West Bengal State Election Commissioner will stand.
