In a significant legal win for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections, the Calcutta High Court has granted permission for the party’s “Parivartan Yatra” (Rally for Change). Justice Shuvra Ghosh’s single bench issued the order on Friday, though the court imposed several strict conditions to maintain public order.
The ruling comes after the BJP moved the court, alleging that the state administration had failed to respond to their initial request submitted on February 22.
Key Directives from the Court
While the BJP originally sought permission for a three-day program spanning March 1 to March 3, the Court narrowed the window. Here are the primary conditions laid out by Justice Ghosh:
* Approved Dates: The rally is permitted only on March 1 and March 2.
* Time Constraints: Events must take place between 2:00 PM and 6:00 PM.
* Crowd Limit: Participation is capped at a maximum of 1,000 individuals per procession.
* Law and Order: The local police have been directed to ensure the rallies proceed without any security breaches or disruption to public peace.
Political Stakes
The “Parivartan Yatra” serves as a cornerstone of the BJP’s pre-poll outreach strategy in West Bengal. The party aims to use these rallies to build momentum before the formal election schedule is announced. High-profile leaders, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP National President J.P. Nadda, are expected to join the campaign trail.
During the proceedings, the BJP provided the court with a detailed itinerary mapping out specific districts and routes. With the legal hurdle now cleared for the first two days of March, the focus shifts to how the party will adjust its tactical rollout to fit the court-mandated timeline.