CPI(M) Kalimpong unit demands clarity of confusion over panchayat elections in hills

YOWAN MOTHAY, EOI, KALIMPONG, NOVEMBER 22, 2022: The Kalimpong district unit of the CPI (M) has submitted a memorandum to the District Magistrate of Kalimpong containing various demands regarding panchayat elections and delimitation of panchayat constituencies in the hills.

CPI(M) leader of Kalimpong Tara Sundas said in a news conference on Tuesday:: "Our demand is that the panchayat elections in the hills should be held sooner than later." Now that the elections were expected to be held in the hills, no information had yet been given regarding seat reservation and delimitation of constituencies.

”We oppose the carrying out of the delimitation without any information. ”Neither was it sure if a two-tier panchayat election would be held, or a three-tier panchayat election. 

“It is expected that a two-tier election will be held, but Darjeeling Lok Sabha M.P. Raju Bista has said after a meeting with the Union Panchayat Minister that a three-tier panchayat election will be held in the hills."

Darjeeling District President of BJP Kalyan Dewan, too, had rejected a two-tier panchayat election and demanded that it should be a three-tier one. 

While Raju Bista had said the Constitution would have to be amended to hold three-tier elections and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, too, had said a three-tier panchayat election would be held in the hills, still there was no move for amending the Constitution. 

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court had decided to give 10 percent reservation to the poor families of the upper castes. This had led to a confusion regarding the seat reservation issue in the panchayat elections in the hills as well.