January 13, 2013

The BJP state committee demanded the Assembly elections should be held on February 20 instead of the scheduled date-February 14. BJP state unit president Sudhindra Dasgupta expressed congratulations after the poll schedule was declared through a press communiqué released recently. As per the press release, Dasgupta said that the auspicious Saraswati Puja, main goddess for students from pre-primary to university will be held on February 15.

Students will remain engaged in pre-puja activities like, decoration; lighting and placing goddess Saraswati prior to the puja. If schools and colleges are used for election purpose, students will be unable to enter the educational institutions for puja preparations. This might adversely affect the Bengali sentiments as this puja is a special occasion in the state with great devotion like Ganesh Chaturthi observed in Maharashtra with pomp and show.

Later, expressing displeasure in schedule of counting of polled EVMs, Dasgupta said the higher secondary examination of Tripura Board of Secondary Education will start from March 1. The counting date which has been finalized on February 28 might affect the ongoing examination. Considering all the circumstances, Dasgupta demanded the Election Commission to defer the schedule of counting to February 26 instead of February 28.

On the contrary, opposition party expressed satisfaction after the date of assembly poll was announced. The party leaders are in favour of conducting the election on schedule to avoid constitutional crisis. Likewise, the ruling CPM party, eager to form seventh Left Front government in the state also rejoiced at this news. It is mentionable here that the party demanded before the full bench of the Commission to conduct the election in mid February. It may be noted that the Election Commission had taken list of major festivals of the state before announcing the election schedule. Interestingly, two major political parties- CPM and Congress welcomed the decision of the poll panel.

source:northeasttoday