Kolkata Muni. The High Court rejected the demand for deployment of central forces in the elections

(PTI) Kolkata, Ta. 13

The Calcutta High Court has directed the state police to provide security for the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) elections to be held on December 15. The High Court has rejected the West Bengal BJP's demand for deployment of central forces.

Justice Rajasekhara Mantha has directed the Commissioner of Kolkata Police to resolve the grievances of the candidates during the elections.

The BJP had on December 18 appealed to the Calcutta High Court seeking the deployment of central forces in the Kolkata Municipal Corporation elections. "We fear that our candidates may be threatened or attacked," the BJP told the court.

Earlier, the BJP had approached the apex court in this regard but the apex court asked it to approach the high court. Following the Calcutta High Court's verdict, state opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari said the Election Commission would now be responsible for holding fair and peaceful elections.

While campaigning for the BJP in Shyambazar, Suvendu Adhikari told reporters, "We do not want the State Election Commission to hold elections by army, central forces, state police or volunteers. We do not want voters and opposition candidates to be intimidated."