New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday asked the West Bengal government to ensure that Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra receives the necessary cooperation from local authorities and police when visiting her Krishnanagar constituency, urging the state to make appropriate arrangements ahead of the Durga Puja and Diwali festivities.
Mehta sought time to file his response, reiterating the Centre and state’s objection to the maintainability of the petition. The bench, however, made it clear that the question of maintainability would remain open while it considered the immediate concern over Moitra’s visits to her constituency. Moitra’s petition contends that state authorities cannot obstruct an elected representative from performing constituency-related duties or discriminate against a parliamentarian on the basis of political affiliation. It also seeks a framework to ensure that local officials remain impartial while facilitating MPs’ visits and development work.
A bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and justice Joymalya Bagchi told solicitor general Tushar Mehta, appearing for the state government, that while the state could take time to respond to Moitra’s petition, the MP should not face difficulties in visiting her constituency in the meantime. “You take your time to respond but if the MP wants to visit her constituency, let there be necessary arrangements,” said the bench, following which Mehta agreed to return on Friday with a statement on the arrangements that could be made.
