The Election Commission (EC) on Wednesday relieved West Bengal Home Secretary Atri Bhattacharya of his duties and asked the State’s Chief Secretary to handle the additional responsibility. It also invoked Article 324 of the Constitution to order an end to campaigning in nine constituencies in the State at 10 pm on Thursday night, a day ahead of schedule, in the wake of violence between BJP and TMC workers here. Polling for these constituencies is scheduled to take place as part of the last phase of Lok Sabha polls, on May 19.

Bhattacharya is accused of interfering in the election process in West Bengal by “directing the CEO (Chief Election Officer) vide his letter dated May 13, 2019”, the Election Commission said. It asked the Chief Secretary to send a compliance report latest by 10 am on Thursday.

Rajiv Kumar, Additional Director-General, CID, has also been relieved from duty. He has been asked to report to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs latest by 10 am on Thursday. Kumar was previously the Kolkata Police Commissioner, and was facing a CBI enquiry in connection with the chit fund scam in Bengal.

The BJP and TMC have traded charges of inciting violence during BJP President Amit Shah’s massive roadshow here on Tuesday. A bust of Bengali icon Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar was vandalised during clashes between party workers.

Mamata hits back

The decision to invoke Article 324 was not that of the EC, but “a direction by the BJP, Modi and Amit Shah”, said Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. “Action should have been taken against Shah for fomenting trouble,” she added. Banerjee alleged that Shah had “threatened” the EC, because of which the decision was taken.

“I have taken pains to keep the law and order situation in Bengal under control. There is no law and order problem in Bengal. The RSS is controlling the ECI.”

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