'Technical faults' force election deferment

MALDA, July 13: The election of the Sthayee Samiti in English Bazaar Panchayat Samiti which was scheduled to be held on 12 July has been deferred due to technical difficulties.The district administration took the decision in order to avoid controversy over the results of the Sthayee Samiti election in English Bazaar. The election will be held on 30 July. Sources said the district administration has sought clarification from the state panchayat department regarding recent developments in two gram panchayats under the English Bazaar block.Though the English Bazaar Panchayat Samiti was captured by the Left Front, the Congress leaders were interested in taking part in the Sthayee Samiti election. Despite busy schedules of the English Bazaar Congress MLA Mr. K N Choudhury and Malda MP Mr. A H Khan Choudhury, both the leaders came to the venue where the Sthayee Samiti election was scheduled to be held.The newly elected Pradhan of Kazigram Gram Panchayat resigned from his post. On the other hand, another Pradhan of Milki Gram Panchayat of this block was co-opted. The administration has sought clarification from the state panchayat officials over whether they have voting rights in the Sthayee Samiti.It may be recalled that a CPI member was elected as Pradhan of Kazigram G P with the support of the Congress. This had caused trouble and there was a clash between the Congress and the CPI(M) workers a few days ago. n SNS