Kolkata: The Election Commission of India (ECI) today imposed Section 144 in the bypoll bound Bhabanipur constituency from 6.30 PM (Tuesday) till the completion of the voting process on September 30. The implementation of the section prohibits assembly of five or more people in one spot.
BJP had appealed to ECI to impose Section 144 and even went to the extent of demanding postponement of polls.
The high-voltage contest features none other than West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee pitted against BJP’s Priyanka Tibrewal and the CPI (M)’s Srijib Biswas.
Violence marred the campaigning process with both TMC and BJP supporters involved in frequent scuffles. Even CPI (M) campaigners lodged protests against Banerjee’s party for being deprived of space to hold rallies near her residence.
BJP leaders cried foul over absence of law and order and even lambasted local cops for not discharging their duties at the behest of the ruling party.