Kolkata, February 3: A PIL was filed before the Calcutta High Court on Wednesday, praying for its interference to prevent the BJP's planned 'rath yatra' across West Bengal, claiming that it would impact the COVID-19 situation and law and order in the state.

The BJP has sought permission from the state government for its month-long 'rath yatra' ahead of the assembly elections, which is due in April-May. The saffron party plans to take out five rallies criss-crossing West Bengal from this month. Rath Yatra 2021: West Bengal Govt Asks BJP to Seek Nod From Local Authorities for Rath Yatras.

The matter is likely to come up before the high court on Friday, petitioner Rama Prasad Sarkar, a lawyer by profession, said. The court had in December 2018 denied permission to the BJP for a 'rath yatra' that was to commence from Coochbehar in north Bengal.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)