Kolkata, Aug. 13 -- "As the first skirmish between the Election Commission of India (ECI) and the Mamata Banerjee Government threatened to escalate into what political pundits called "a full-blown constitutional crisis," the poll panel on Tuesday summoned Bengal Chief Secretary Manoj Pant to appear before it by 5 pm on Wednesday to explain his refusal to suspend four state officials - ordered by the poll panel - for alleged 'criminal misconduct' in discharging their electoral duties."
Sources said Pant had obtained the necessary clearance from the "higher authorities" for his Delhi trip. "Most likely he would fly to Delhi on Wednesday morning," an official said.
The ECI has summoned and had directed the State Government to suspend the err...