The dispute between the ruling TMC and the CPM over the formation of two gram panchayats in East Midnapore district today aggravated with the Calcutta High Court asking the state government to explain their formation in the absence of party members on both occasions. While the CPM alleged political motivation behind the arrest of three of its members,which helped the TMC form the panchayat in Ramnagar I Block today,the TMC asked the BDO to hold a meeting tomorrow regarding the formation of panchayat in Bodra on August 17,which the CPM formed in the absence of the ruling party members. According to legal provisions,a party can form a panchayat after winning the elections provided their winning candidates are present in meeting to form the body. After both the TMC and the CPM (with six seats each) formed the panchayats in Ramnagar and Bodra blocks,respectively,despite the absence of the members of the other party in either case,Justice Sanjib Banerjee raised questions over the decision and sought response from the state government within a week. Justice Banerjees response came after advocate Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya filed a plea,saying the arrest of the three CPM memberswas carried out to prevent them from attending the meeting and help the ruling party form the panchayat.
