Summary:
In a dramatic development last night, the Election Commission cracking the whip using Article 324 of the Constitution, which was without precedence in the country, truncated the campaign period by almost 19 hours in nine Lok Sabha seats of Bengal going to polls on Sunday.
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War of words between Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and BJP leadership at the Centre, violence during Amit Shah`s roadshow leading to desecration of the bust of iconic social reformer Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar and invocation of Article 324 snipping last and seventh phase campaign time permeate the election air of Bengal in this year`s Lok Sabha.
In a dramatic development last night, the Election Commission cracking the whip using Article 324 of the Constitution, which was without precedence in the country, truncated the campaign period by almost 19 hours in nine Lok Sabha seats of Bengal going to polls on Sunday.
The move came a day after violence during Tuesday`s roadshow by BJP president Amit Shah in the city coupled with a multitude of clashes in the run-up to May 19 polls.
The poll body also took the decision to relieve ADG, CID, Rajeev Kumar and Principal Secretary, Home, Atri Bhattacharya from their responsibilities.
Terming the EC order as `unprecedented, unconstitutional, unethical and politically biased`, Ms Banerjee thundered that the people of Bengal are very angry, and they will give a fitting reply on 19th.
` The move to curtail campaigning one day early is a Modi and BJP decision.
We have been kept in the dark throughout.
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` I have never criticised any constitutional body.
But today when Bengal and its people and heritage are under attack, I will fight back boldly.