Kolkata: Following the Supreme Court‘s Monday order on Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, Bengal BJP said it was now the Election Commission‘s onus to ensure a peaceful process if the court order, especially the parts pertaining to the role of booth-level agents, led to any tension.In its order, the Supreme Court said that BLAs can argue the voters’ case and submit documents or objections of persons likely to be affected during the SIR process. Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya said that owing to this, the entire SIR process might not remain peaceful. “The way Trinamool has started obstructing the process… it has already created tension. We have to see what they are up to when they are inside the room. If BLA-2s are allowed during the hearing, it means that BJP representatives will also be inside. Only time can tell if that will cause any tension,” he said.Putting the onus of maintaining a peaceful process on the EC, Bhattacharya said, “If the Supreme Court has given a direction, Election Commission will follow that. It will have to ensure a smooth and peaceful process inside the hearing room. They should ensure that the SC’s directions are followed. We will keep an eye on that.”Former BJP state unit chief Dilip Ghosh, however, felt that the apex court had further strengthened what the Election Commission had been trying to do. He also said that the SC does not considered if an order works in one party’s advantage or not. “The Supreme Court’s verdict is based on its judgment of the case. They don’t see if that puts anyone on the back foot or front foot,” he said.Ghosh claimed that EC would have to ensure that the order was followed smoothly. “They will say what is essential to ensure smooth functioning of the electoral process. The apex court is supporting the efforts of the Election Commission so that the polls are held peacefully. Transparency is essential,” Ghosh said.
