The Calcutta High Court on Monday rejected a petition seeking cancellation of Bharatiya Janata Party leader Suvendu Adhikari’s candidature from the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency, bringing relief to the opposition leader ahead of the high-stakes electoral contest in West Bengal.
The plea had challenged Adhikari’s nomination on the grounds that his alleged public remarks were against constitutional principles, particularly secularism, and therefore disqualified him from contesting elections. The petitioner urged the court to direct intervention by the Election Commission of India to annul his candidature. However, the court found the arguments legally insufficient.
During the hearing, the division bench reportedly questioned the petitioner on the constitutional basis for such a demand. The petitioner was unable to clearly specify under which provision of law the candidature could be cancelled, weakening the case significantly in court proceedings.
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The court ultimately dismissed the Public Interest Litigation, refusing to admit it for a detailed hearing. This effectively allows Adhikari to remain in the electoral fray from Bhabanipur, where he is set to face Trinamool Congress (TMC) candidates in one of the most closely watched constituencies in the state.
Bhabanipur is considered a politically sensitive seat in Kolkata, having previously been represented by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The constituency has often been at the centre of high-profile electoral battles between the TMC and BJP, reflecting the broader political rivalry in the state.
With the court decision now settled, attention shifts back to campaign dynamics in the constituency, where both the ruling TMC and opposition BJP are expected to intensify their outreach ahead of polling. The ruling underscores the judiciary’s reluctance to interfere in electoral candidatures without strong constitutional or statutory grounds.
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