Bengal Panchayat Elections 2023: 11 people lost their lives in the violence during the panchayat elections in West Bengal on Saturday so far. Home Minister Amit Shah has sought a report from the state government regarding the incidents of violence. He also spoke to BJP state president Sukanta Mazumdar and inquired about the workers.
Voting took place on Saturday for the three-tier panchayat elections in West Bengal. During this, violence has taken place in many places. As per sources, those killed in the violence included six members of the Trinamool Congress, one worker each from the BJP, the Communist Party of India-Marxist, the Congress and the Indian Secular Front (ISF) and another person. Many people have also been injured in the violent clashes. Apart from this, there are reports of destruction of ballot boxes at polling booths in many parts of the state.
BJP demands President’s rule
On this violence, West Bengal’s Leader of Opposition and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari said that the Governor has made the biggest mistake by appointing Rajeev Sinha (State Election Commissioner). He alleged that many people have been killed so far, they have been killed by TMC goons. It is very difficult to conduct free and fair elections under the state government. This is possible only when President’s rule is imposed in the state or Article 355 is used.
TMC accuses the opposition
Meanwhile, the ruling TMC accused opposition parties of instigating the violence and criticized central forces for their failure to protect voters. TMC said in a statement that since the announcement of panchayat elections on June 8, 27 people have been killed and 17 of them are from Trinamool, which is more than 60 per cent of the total deaths.
Voting for three-tier panchayat elections in Bengal
Congress leader Adhir Chowdhary said that the election has become a joke as TMC goons are roaming freely and people’s mandate has been looted. Three-tier Panchayat elections are being held in Bengal for Zilla Parishads, Panchayat Samitis and Gram Panchayats. Around 70,000 personnel of the state police besides 600 companies of central forces have been deployed for the elections.
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