Banerjee suggests simultaneous polls, calls model code bizarre

Kolkata, March 18 (IANS) Dubbing the model code of conduct for elections as "bizarre", Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee Tuesday suggested simultaneous holding of Lok Sabha, assembly and local body polls so as to allow more time to the state governments to carry out development.

"The model code of conduct is bizarre. Whenever elections are held - be it for Lok Sabha, assembly, panchayat or municipality - this code of conduct comes into force. Then you can't carry out any new development work. This code of conduct is bizarre," Banerjee said, addressing a Trinamool Congress workers' meeting for the Lok Sabha polls at Pailan in South 24 Parganas district.

The West Bengal chief minister said earlier the code of conduct used to be in force for only some days. But now, because of multi-phase polls, it remains in play for a couple of months when any election is held.

"After we came to power, the panchayat elections were held, then there were assembly bypolls, municipal polls, and now the Lok Sabha elections. Effectively, state governments get not five, bur four years to work," she said.

Later, speaking at a meeting at Majherhat, Banerjee suggested the elections be held together.

"We need to hold all elections together - panchayat, assembly, Lok Sabha. A way has to be found out," she said.

Banerjee, however, made it clear she was not criticising anybody. "I go to office, but there is no work. I feel guilty. So I am saying all this."