The upcoming civic elections in West Bengal are likely to be postponed over the novel coronavirus pandemic as the ruling TMC appealed to the State Election Commission on Sunday to defer the polls, a demand that found resonance among the Opposition parties too.
A final decision will be taken by the SEC following an all-party meeting on Monday.
Elections to 107 municipal bodies of the state and the Kolkata Municipal Corporation are being viewed as a litmus test for the TMC and the BJP, a year ahead of the crucial Assembly polls.
Sources claim the state government was earlier was keen on holding the elections between April 12 and 26.
"The final decision will be taken after seeking opinion of all political parties and the state government on Monday," an SEC official said. "But with the ruling party itself demanding the polls to be deferred, it is most likely that the polls would be deferred."
"Elections will come and go, but politics must take a backseat when society is faced with such a threat," it said. "We urge all political parties to join hands and fight this together."