Umamageswari Maruthappan
The Supreme Court has dismissed a petition seeking restrictions on BJP members from using the “Jai Shri Ram” slogan while campaigning for West Bengal Elections. The plea also challenges the conduct of West Bengal Elections in eight phases.
Initially, the Top Court had directed the petitioner to approach the Calcutta High Court. However, on his refusal to do the same, the Bench of Chief Justice SA Bobde and Justices AS Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian dismissed the petition.
Advocate M L Sharma had filed a petition contending the above two issues. Accordingly to the petition, using slogans is violative of Sections 123(3) and 125 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. Also, conducting Elections in eight phases is against Article 14 (right to equality) and Article 21 (right to life) of the Constitution, the plea stated.
Sharma had also insisted a CBI probe into the matter through his plea.
The Election Commission, on 26th February, had announced regarding the elections in West Bengal wherein it stated that the polls will be conducted in eight phases.
