Updated May 15th, 2019 at 21:34 IST
Anarchy: This is what Arun Jaitley interpreted from the EC's unprecedented decisions regarding the violence-hit polls in West Bengal
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley interpreted the Election Commission's massive decision to cut short election campaigning in West Bengal ahead of the seventh and final phase of elections as a declaration that the state is currently witnessing Anarchy.
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Finance Minister Arun Jaitley interpreted the Election Commission's massive decision to cut short election campaigning in West Bengal ahead of the seventh and final phase of elections as a declaration that the state is currently witnessing Anarchy.
Taking to Twitter, Jaitley has cited the violence that has been witnessed in each of the 6 phases of the elections thus far and has written the following:
Calling it a classic case of breakdown of constitutional machinery, Jaitley adds:
His tweets and assessment come within minutes of the Election Commission announcing its unprecedented decision which also contained what is tantamount to sacking of two of West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee's top officers, Rajeev Kumar and Atri Bhattacharya.
Here are the three decision announced by the Election Commission during the presser on Wednesday:
- That election campaigning of all forms in the state would be suspended by 10 pm on Thursday, May 16, and remain suspended till the end of the polls.
- That ADG (CID) West Bengal Rajeev Kumar stands relieved of his post and is reassigned to the Home Ministry in New Delhi where he will have to report by 10 am on Thursday.
- That Atri Bhattacharya, Principal Secretary (Home) of the West Bengal government stands removed and his duties will be discharged with the state's Chief Secretary for the time being.
The Election Commission's briefing came 24 hours after shocking violence was witnessed at BJP chief Amit Shah's poll rally in Kolkata, following which West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday undertook a protest march.
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Published May 15th, 2019 at 21:17 IST