Bengal governor C.V. Ananda Bose summoned state election commissioner Rajiva Sinha on Saturday and later assured that free and fair panchayat polls would be conducted, against the backdrop of allegations of large-scale violence after the voting date was announced.

Although Sinha did not comment after the meeting, after a BJP delegation met Bose, the governor said all steps would be taken to conduct free and fair elections.

“The elections will be conducted in a free and fair manner. Violence will not be tolerated at any cost. Today, the state election commissioner held a meeting with me. All steps will be taken to see that the elections are conducted in a free and fair manner,” Bose said.

Sources said the governor wanted to know from Sinha why so many incidents of violence were being reported during the filing of nominations. Bose also enquired about the security arrangements and whether the poll panel was considering the deployment of central forces, a source said.

“The state election commissioner has assured the governor that the poll panel is leaving no stone unturned to make the nomination process smooth and peaceful. The poll panel has instructed the state government to deploy more policemen in and around BDO offices, where nominations are being filed,” the source said.

“Regarding the deployment of central forces, the commissioner said no decision had been taken yet and that the matter was being heard by the high court,” the source added. The Opposition has approached the court demanding the deployment of central forces.