Samik Bhattacharya: No Polls Until SIR Complete, Demands Fear-Free Elections

• West Bengal BJP President Samik Bhattacharya welcomed the Election Commission's two-phase election announcement.
• He asserted that elections should not be held until the SIR (State Investigation Report) is fully completed, reiterating a long-standing demand.
• Bhattacharya, echoing Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, called for a "fear-free" environment for the polls.
• Elections in West Bengal will be held in two phases on April 23 (152 seats) and April 29 (142 seats), with results on May 4.
• The Election Commission plans to deploy significant central forces and observers to ensure peaceful elections, considering past political violence.