Kolkata/New Delhi
As many as 14 people died since midnight in the crucial three-tier panchayat polls in West Bengal on Saturday prompting the Opposition to demand President’s Rule and a declaration of the elections as null and void. The possibility of the death toll further increasing is not ruled out.
Bombs exploded, ballot boxes were looted and polling booths were captured even as rival factions also resorted to arson and the parties levelled allegations of indulging in violence and strong arm tactics against each other.
Leader of the Opposition in the State Assembly and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari demanded imposition of President’s Rule and threatened to lead a march to Kalighat, where Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee lives, against the violence in the panchayat polls. “We demand CBI, and NIA probe after today’s incident. I will ask the State election commissioner to direct CM Mamata Banerjee to compensate ₹50 lakh to the deceased. The total death toll after today’s violence is 19,” he claimed.
BJP’s national president JP Nadda said, “The BJP will not let this death of democracy happen and we will take this fight to a decisive level in a democratic way.”
Congress leader Kaustav Bagchi 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.
Governor CV Ananda Bose also visited different areas in North 24 Parganas district, and met people injured in the violence.
Ruling TMC’s senior minister Sashi Panja said, “Shocking incidents are being reported since last night. BJP, CPI(M) and Congress have colluded.” She raised questions on the role of the central forces. The TMC also accused the Governor of violence.
The Kurmis as well as the tribals, both holding considerable sway over the fortunes of the parties in West Bengal, have queered the pitch for the stakeholders, who have been in a fix to take a decisive stand on the demands of both the communities wary of its fallout.
The Kurmis are agitating demanding grant of Scheduled Tribe status to them while the adivasis are dead against the acceptance of their demand. The tribals are also demanding a separate Sarna Religion Code for the community.
The election was held in a single phase in which over 2,00,000 candidates contested for 73,887 seats. Counting will be held on July 11. The panchayat polls hold immense significance for the parties as it serves as a litmus test ahead of the crucial 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The TMC had swept the elections in 2018.
