Differences with seniors linked to Goel's sudden resignation

Disagreement with seniors over the law and order situation in West Bengal and assessment on the possible misuse of state bureaucracy and machinery to disturb level-playing field for all parties may have been the real trigger for the shock resignation of Election Commissioner Arun Goel, said sources amid claims that Goel's exit may not upset the Lok Sabha elections schedule to a great extent.

Mobilisation of central security forces and matters linked to sensitive election booths in West Bengal had allegedly exposed differences between EC officials who visited the state on March 4. The absence of Goel at an EC media briefing on March 5 was an indication of the building strom, said sources, dismissing the buzz in certain quarters that Goel resigned due to personal health issues.

There might have been a debate or disagreement on file within the panel on use of strong language while issuing instructions to the West Bengal bureaucracy to contain violence and ensure a level playing field during the Lok Sabha elections.