ECI issues show-cause notice to Majumdar

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday rejected Trinamul Congress (TMC) leader Derek O'Brien's allegation of inaction and delayed response to two complaints submitted to it ahead of the by-elections to six Assembly seats in West Bengal.

- STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE

A delegation of the TMC, comprising O'Brien and Sushmita Dev, submitted the complaints to the ECI on November 9 against Union minister and state BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar for his alleged derogatory remark against the state police and against the central forces for allegedly engaging in illegal activities at the behest of West Bengal BJP leaders.

In its letter issued to the TMC leader, the ECI acknowledged that his (O'Brien's) request seeking an appointment for the TMC delegation to discuss issues related to the upcoming bye-elections in West Bengal was received on 8 November at 5.17 pm through an email. However, he made no mention of issues required to be discussed.

Ahead of the upcoming Assembly by-elections, the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday issued a show-cause notice to Union minister and West Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumdar over his alleged derogatory remarks against state police.

Its action came days after it received a complaint from the Trinamul Congress (TMC) against Majumdar.

The TMC alleged that he had insulted the "state emblem of India and the state police by stating that police personnel should replace the emblem on their uniforms with icons resembling footwear" during an election rally in poll-bound Taldangra Assembly constituency.