Bengal Panchayat Polls: 12 Dead in Violence, MHA Seeks Govt Report
The ruling Trinamool Congress has been doing consistently well in polls at all levels for the last few years.
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At least 12 people died and scores of others sustained injuries in violence that broke out at several places in West Bengal, hours after voting began for panchayat polls in 20 districts on Monday, 14 May.
On Tuesday, PM Modi said the violence that broke out during the polls was a murder of democracy.
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has now sought a report from the West Bengal government regarding the incidents of violence.
The BJP and CPI(M) have accused the ruling Trinamool Congress of allowing the violence to spread across the state.
- 72.5 percent of the electorate cast their votes till 5 pm
- Left parties protested outside the State Election Commission office against incidents of violence
- Violence reported in Cooch Behar, Bhangar, South 24 Parganas, Murshidabad districts
- Incidents of booth capturing, allegedly by TMC workers, have come to light
'Democracy Was Murdered': PM Pans TMC Govt Over Panchayat Poll Violence
PM Modi hit out at the Trinamool Congress government in West Bengal over violence during the panchayat elections in the state on 15 May in Delhi, saying democracy was "murdered" for narrow political interests.
Addressing BJP workers at the party headquarters in Delhi, Modi claimed that efforts were made to ensure that "opposition candidates are unable to file their nominations so that ruling party members are elected unopposed".
"Ballot boxes were found in a pond... innocent party workers, not only of the BJP but of other parties too, were killed," he said.
(With PTI inputs)
Voting Closes with 72.5% Turnout
Despite sporadic instances of violence, clashes between political groups, and booth capturing, allegedly by the TMC worker, 72.5% of the electorate exercised their right to vote in West Bengal panchayat elections. The poll-related violence had taken the total to 12 by the end of the day, compelling the Ministry of Home Affairs to seek a report from the Mamata Banerjee-led government.
The CPI (M) and the BJP accused TMC workers of perpetrating violence, booth capturing, barring people from casting their votes at several places. The TMC leaders, on the other hand, claimed that there were minor incidents of violence and voting continued peacefully.
A record thirty-four percent of the total panchayat seats had remained contested, a clear majority of which was won by the TMC. Derek O'Brien, the TMC leader, attributed the victory on uncontested seats to the party’s grassroots presence.
Six Poll-Related Deaths: DGP
Addressing the media, West Bengal DGP Surajit Kar Purukayastha said that while there were six poll-related deaths, the deaths of six other people were not related to the polls on Monday.
72.5% Polling Recorded Till 5 pm
The polling recorded till 5 pm for the West Bengal panchayat elections was 72.5 percent. However, the final numbers are yet to come in as voting is still on in some areas where there were disruptions.
MHA Seeks Report From WB Govt on Violence
The Ministry of Home Affairs has now sought a report from the West Bengal government regarding the incidents of violence during the panchayat election in the state, reported ANI.
A Home Ministry official reportedly said that the state government has been told to provide a detailed report on the circumstances leading to the violence and the steps taken to restore peace, and punish those involved in the violence.
Left Parties Stage Protest Outside State Election Commission Office
Various members of the CPI-M, the Revolutionalry Socialist Party (RSP) and other parties belonging to the Left Front staged a protest outside the State Election Commission office against the incidents of violence during the panchayat election, reported ANI.
Regarding the protest, CPI(M) leader Biman Bose said:
'Nothing But Complete Destruction of Democracy': Sitaram Yechury
CPI-M general secretary Sitaram Yechury slammed the incidents of violence during the West Bengal panchayat election, saying , "This is nothing but complete destruction of democracy... We are organising a protest against it."
56.8% Polling Recorded Till 3 pm
The polling percentage till 3 pm for the West Bengal panchayat elections was 56.8 percent. Earlier, a State Election Commission (SEC) official said 41.5 percent polling was recorded till 1 pm.
Congress Stages Protests
Congress workers are staging a protest outside the State Election Commission office in Kolkata.
Ballot Boxes Looted in Murshidabad
Unidentified armed miscreants looted ballot boxes at gunpoint in booth number 44, 45 and 45K in Murshidabad, reports ANI.
Ballot Box Recovered From a Pond
A ballot box was recovered from a pond in West Bengal’s Sonadangi area.
TMC Workers Vandalise Polling Booth
Booths in North Dinajpur’s Sonadangi have come under attack, allegedly at the hands of TMC workers.
Clashes Between TMC and Congress Workers in Murshidabad
Clashes were reported between TMC and Congress supporters in Murshidabad in West Bengal.
Watch: Vehicles Vandalised in Raniganj
Vehicles were damaged in Raniganj area of Asansol while voting was underway in the state on Monday, 14 May.
TMC's Partha Chatterjee Condemns Violence
TMC leader Partha Chatterjee has condemned the violence meted out at journalists during the panchayat polls in West Bengal on Monday, 14 May.
Babul Supriyo Demands President's Rule
Union minister and BJP leader Babul Supriyo has demanded President's rule in West Bengal after violence ripped through the state during the panchayat elections on Monday, 14 May.
26.28% Voter Turnout till 11 AM; Journalists Attacked
As many as 26.28 percent of the electorate turned out to vote in the West Bengal panchayat polls till 11 am, braving violence that has already killed two persons and injured several others in many parts of the state.
Even journalists were nor spared. At least five journalists were injured during violence that ensued after polling booths were captured, allegedly by TMC workers, in Birpara.
Sitaram Yechury Hits Out at Election Comission
CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury hit out at the State Election Commission (SEC) after reports of violence and clashes between different party workers led to the killing of at least two persons and leaving scores of others injured.
TMC Worker Shot Dead
A TMC worker was shot dead in Kultali area of South 24 Parganas district on Monday, 14 May. Violence has hit several parts of West Bengal as party workers continue to clash.
BJP Condemns Violence
BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi has condemned the ongoing violence in West Bengal, saying it signified the culture of political violence under the Trinamool Congress.
"It's an alarming sign for democracy," he told ANI.
Violence in 24 Parganas, Burdwan, Coochbehar, and South 24 Parganas
According to PTI, reports of violence have been come in from North 24 Parganas, Burdwan, Coochbehar, and South 24 Parganas districts. In Coochbehar district, North Bengal Development Minister Rabindranath Ghosh allegedly slapped a person outside a polling booth.
The State Election Commission (SEC) said it has received a complaint and asked authorities to take action.
In the Dinhata area of north Bengal's Coochbehar district, at least 15 people, including voters, were injured after clashes broke out between two groups outside a polling station, sources told PTI. The voters later lodged a police complaint.
Bomb Explosion in North 24 Parganas District
At least 20 people sustained injuries in a crude bomb explosion in Amdanga's Sadhanpur in North 24 Parganas, reported ANI.
Ballot Papers Thrown in Pond
Ballot papers were thrown in a pond after a clash broke out between Trinamool Congress workers and workers associated with the BJP in Murshidabad, forcing the election authorities to stop voting.
BJP Candidate Attacked With Knife
A BJP candidate was severely injured after he was attacked with a knife, allegedly by TMC workers, reported ANI. Raju Biswas from Bikanta is currently undergoing treatment at the Panihati State General Hospital.
TMC Minister Slaps BJP Worker, SEC Seeks Answer
TMC minister Rabindranath Ghosh, who was caught on camera slapping a BJP worker, has defended his actions. Ghosh told CNN-News18 that he slapped the worker because he was trying to run away with a ballot box.
The State Election Commission has issued the TMC minister a show-cause notice.
102-Year-Old Woman Casts Vote
A 102-year-old woman cast her vote on Monday, 14 May, at a polling booth in Dantan area of West Midnapore, West Bengal.
Violence in Bhangar
After Cooch Behar, violence was reported from Bhangar district too. A media vehicle was set afire, and a camera was also broken. Locals also alleged that TMC workers were capturing booths in Bhangar.
Alleged TMC Workers Capture Booths in South 24 Parganas
Almost all polling booths of Amjhara GP, Basanti block, South 24 Parganas were captured by alleged armed TMC goons, reported News 18. A media vehicle was damaged in clashes in South 24 Parganas district, NDTV reported.
TMC Workers Allegedly Stop Voters From Entering Booths
20 Injured in Clashes in Cooch Behar
At least 20 people sustained injuries in clashes that broke out between two groups in Cooch Beharm, ANI reported. The locals alleged that they went to the polling booth to cast their vote and were attacked by TMC workers.
TMC Won Record Number of Seats Unopposed
Of the total 58,692 seats, 20,076 – or 34.2 percent – had already been decided uncontested, with Trinamool Congress winning a vast majority of them.
When a Twitter user pointed out such a large number of seats, TMC leader Derek O'Brien attributed the victory to the massive grassroots level cadre of the TMC and the absence of the same among Opposition parties.
Couple Burnt to Death, Violence, Booth Capturing Reported
Two groups have clashed in West Bengal's Cooch Behar district after a CPI(M) worker and his wife were set on fire allegedly by TMC workers.
A couple were burnt to death at their home in South 24 Parganas district, hours before panchayat polls were to being in West Bengal, police said.
"An incident of fire was reported. A man and his wife were burnt to death. Forensic experts have been called," Sundarbans Coastal police district SP Tathagata Basu said.
CPI(M) district secretary Shamik Lahiri named some people claiming that those goons of the Trinamool Congress had assaulted party worker Debaprasad Das and his wife Usha and then set the house afire.
Minister and local Trinamool MLA Mantu Pakhira denied the allegation and said the fire may have been caused by short circuit.
The Indian Express reported that some TMC goons have captured two booths in West Bengal's Bhangar district. Two candidates have also been allegedly kidnapped.
Violence Mars Polling
According to News18, a bomb exploded in South Dinajpur's Tapan, injuring three people. The violence was reported from Cooch Behar and Shibari districts too, injuring a woman.
The CPI(M) alleged that TMC "goons" stormed the house of a party worker and set him and his wife ablaze in Kakdweep, West Bengal. Questioning the fairness of elections, the CPI(M) also asked Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee if this was the kind of democracy she wanted.
Voters Queue Up to Cast Vote
The West Bengal panchayat polls began on Monday, 14 May, amid surveys suggesting that the Trinamool may walk away with a bulk of the seats at all three levels – panchayat, panchayat samiti and the zila parishad.
(With ANI, PTI and IANS inputs)
Opposition Questions SEC
The Left and the Congress had joined hands to fight the TMC in the 2016 Assembly elections. However, post-2016, the Bharatiya Janata Party has finished runners-up in almost all state elections, replacing the Left and the Congress.
Pre-poll surveys have also predicted that the BJP could challenge Trinamool Congress' supremacy. During the run-up to nominations, the Opposition parties had accused the TMC of using muscle power to stop them from filing nominations.
The State Election Commission (SEC) had to defer the elections. The Opposition parties have also questioned the integrity of the SEC, alleging it was under pressure from the ruling TMC.
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Published: 14 May 2018,07:47 AM IST