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The Panchayat polls in Bengal, which is being seen as a litmus test for the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Opposition BJP ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, witnessed scenes of ballot boxes being stolen and burnt, and public anger against political workers.
Cutting across ideological lines, all parties in West Bengal condemned the violence and the killings in various districts, while the opposition BJP called for President’s Rule in the state. The ruling Trinamool Congress accused the opposition of instigating violence and criticised the central forces for their failure to protect the voters.
Meanwhile, West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose met people in various districts to take stock of the situation. Bose, who was supposed to travel to Nadia district, was stopped near Basudebpur on Kalyani Expressway by supporters of the BJP and CPI(M) who complained about “vote looting” and urged him to take action.
Check out the top developments from the state today:
1) 50.52 per cent voter turnout till 3 pm
Women cast their votes for Panchayat elections at a polling station, in Nadia district of West Bengal, Saturday, July 8, 2023. (PTI Photo)
As widespread violence rocked West Bengal’s panchayat polls, 50.52 per cent voter turnout was recorded till 3 pm, news agency PTI reported. The polling began at 7 am in 73,887 seats in the rural areas of the state with 5.67 crore people deciding the fate of around 2.06 lakh candidates.
2) Parties condemn violence, engage in blame game
As 12 people were killed and several areas reported sporadic violence during the panchayat polls on Saturday, parties leveled allegations of strong arm tactics against their rivals.
While the ruling TMC claimed that BJP, CPI(M) and Congress have colluded, Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly, Suvendu Adhikari of the BJP, demanded that President’s Rule be imposed in the state and threatened to lead a march to Kalighat where chief minister Mamata Banerjee lives against the violence in the panchayat polls.
Members of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha being detained at a protest against the alleged violence during West Bengal Panchayat elections, near West Bengal State Election Commission office in Kolkata, Saturday, July 8, 2023. (PTI Photo)
State Congress president Adhir Chowdhury alleged that TMC goons were having a free run and people’s mandate has been looted. On the other hand, CPI(M)’s West Bengal secretary Md Salim claimed that the central force was not properly mobilised in spite of the high court order, adding that there has been a goof up between central and state forces.
3) Elections must take place ‘through ballots and not bullets’
Taking stock of the situation on the ground, West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose expressed concerns about the violence taking place across several districts of West Bengal during the Panchayat elections. Condemning the violent incidents, he said elections must take place ‘through ballots and not bullets”.
Talking about his role on polling day, Bose said he would ensure that the interests of the public are protected and that Constitution is followed by everyone.
4) Bengal under TMC rule has become a ‘tragic example of violence in democracy’
The BJP has attacked the Mamata Banerjee-led government in West Bengal, alleging that the state under its rule has become a tragic example of violence in democracy.
Hitting out at the ruling party, BJP spokesperson and Rajya Sabha member Sudhanshu Trivedi told reporters that the state used to be a centre of art, culture and science, but now, it is known for “crimes, anti-national activities and dangerous appeasement”. He also alleged that the government has been using criminals for violence during the elections by giving them protection.
5) Why have Bengal’s Panchayat polls turned violent?
Tensions have been simmering ever since the state government declared the date for conducting Panchayat polls. The Opposition openly opposed the announcement, claiming that 60,000 candidates for the elections didn’t have enough days to file nominations. In the following days, violent incidents broke out in a number of places across the state.
The BJP, the Left and the Congress have accused the TMC of preventing their candidates from filing nominations. The TMC, on the other hand, claimed innocence and asked party workers to ensure violence-free violence. However, clashes continued to be reported in West Bengal, even on the day of voting.
Ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha election, the Panchayat polls are a litmus test for all major political camps — the Trinamool Congress, the BJP, and the Left-Congress alliance. In the 2021 Assembly Elections, the TMC returned to power with a thumping majority despite a high-decibel campaign by the BJP spearheaded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. However, since then, there have been massive allegations of corruption against the ruling party. In this context, the result of the Panchayat polls will be an important indicator to tell which way the political wind in Bengal is blowing.
6) TMC considers ‘murders’ its guarantee to power: Anurag Thakur
Lashing out at the TMC government in West Bengal over the violence in Panchayat polls, Union minister Anurag Thakur said it considers “murders” as its guarantee to power and that the state’s “bomb culture” is shaming India and its democracy the world over, PTI reported.
Hitting out at Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Thakur said she cannot preside over an election in the state “without killings and chaos”.
ममता बनर्जी जी की ऐसी क्या मजबूरी है कि बंगाल में किसी भी चुनाव में हत्या, आगज़नी, अराजकता के बिना उनका मन नहीं मानता? pic.twitter.com/BYZN4j5Oi3
— Anurag Thakur (@ianuragthakur) July 8, 2023
He also slammed the use of ballot boxes instead of EVMs and noted the sight of goons running away with these boxes. “Rigging is taking place and people being killed to establish dominance,” he alleged.
7) Congress leader seeks urgent hearing of HC to declare rural polls null and void
Congress leader Kaustav Bagchi said he made a representation to the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court seeking an urgent hearing of a prayer seeking that Saturday’s panchayat elections in West Bengal be declared null and void on account of violence and killings.
Injured being treated at a hospital after clashes during West Bengal Panchayat elections, at Beldanga in Murshidabad district, Saturday, July 8, 2023. (PTI Photo)
“I have prayed that the court take suo motu cognisance of the violence and killings and violation of the high court’s earlier orders to ensure free and fair polls,” he was quoted as saying by PTI.
8) Two children injured in crude bomb blast in Bhangor
Two children were injured in a blast in West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas district on Saturday which happened when they picked up a crude bomb from the roadside mistaking it to be a ball, according to officials quoted by PTI.
Meanwhile, locals protested alleging that the crude bombs were indiscriminately used overnight to intimidate voters and no police could be seen.
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