The West Bengal Panchayat Polls that began this morning has resulted in massive violence against voters. More than 20 people were injured when a low intensity bomb was set off at the Suktabari polling station.
The TMC (All Trinamool Congress) party candidate was injured in the blast. The State Election Commission received multiple complaints of violence from Cooch Behar, Burdwan in North 24 Parganas and multiple South 24 Parganas districts.
A mob drew a line before the polling station at North Bengal’s Alipurduar threatening voters not to cross. A few voters were injured in Dinhata after two groups started a fight outside the polling station.
The local CPM Unit in South 24 Parganas sent a letter to the Election Commissioner with a complaint. The letter stated a couple was killed after TMC workers set their house on fire last night. The police are yet to determine who was behind the fire or was it a short circuit.
These Panchayat elections are being held after weeks of suspense over the dates and prolonged court cases. The BJP has put out a huge effort to defeat the Trinamool Congress party.
The last time change of power in West Bengal began with the Panchayat Elections. The Left ruled West Bengal but then in the 2008 rural elections, the party lost its stronghold. Three years later Mamata Banerjee became Chief Minister of the State.
The filing of nomination papers for these elections began on the 2nd of April. Many members from the CPM, the BJP and the Congress claimed TMC workers were terrorizing the opposition members. The ruling party has denied obstructing the opposition members from filling their nominations.
A total of 38,000 seats are vacant out of the 58,000 seats. The TMC won 34% of the seats unopposed. However, the Supreme Court was concerned about the massive unopposed victory and stated the notifications of the results.
