Calcutta High Court stays ward delimitation process, impact on local elections

The Calcutta High Court has stayed the election process for local self-government bodies amidst the ongoing dispute regarding the ward delimitation process. According to an NDTV report, the court has not cancelled the elections but has directed the State Election Commission to first resolve the dispute related to the ward delimitation process and only then issue the official election notification.

This significant order was passed by a division bench comprising Justice Sabyasachi Bhattacharya and Justice Arun Roy Mukherjee. The elections for the Kolkata Municipal Corporation are approaching. In addition to Kolkata, local elections are also awaited in Howrah and several other municipalities. Municipal Corporation elections have not been held in West Bengal for a long time, but this recent decision by the court has altered the political dynamics.

Under the framework of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation Act, local elections are held according to specific legal guidelines. However, the government led by Suvendu Adhikari has recently undertaken a new delimitation process by making legal changes. Through this process, changes have been made to the constituency maps, and the total number of wards has been increased from 144 to 209.

Former CPM councillor Dipu Das has raised objections against this delimitation process. According to Dipu Das's allegation, this delimitation process is actually a scheme by the BJP, aimed at strengthening the chances of coming to power by increasing the number of seats. On the other hand, the BJP government argues that the population has increased over the years and elections have not been held for a long time. Therefore, increasing the number of wards is appropriate and it will make it easier for the administration to provide proper civic amenities to the people.

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has stated that the government will approach the Supreme Court against this verdict of the High Court. Nevertheless, he emphasised that the government will proceed with the delimitation process as it is in the interest of the people of the state. He argued that if elections are not held, it could affect the distribution of civic services. Opposition parties have also argued that the absence of elections will cause disruption in administration, civic amenities, and municipal services.

According to political observations, this decision of the court could prove beneficial for Suvendu Adhikari. Reports suggest that there is a tendency among Trinamool Congress councillors, who had won previous elections or who now wish to contest elections, to join the BJP. Many in the Trinamool Congress believe that winning the upcoming elections will be difficult. Due to the desire to remain in power, political shifts are being observed, and leaders are seen turning from Trinamool Congress towards the BJP.

The Municipal Corporation elections in West Bengal have been suspended for a long time, and the changes made in the delimitation process have affected this entire political structure. Now, the State Election Commission will have to resolve the delimitation dispute as per the court's order, upon which the direction of the upcoming local elections will depend.