Amid the ongoing violence in West Bengal ahead of the panchayat polls, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday raised questions on peace situation during the CPI(M) rule. She said, "Those who are saying that there is no peace in Bengal today, I would like to ask them, how was it during the CPI(M) rule?" The Left Front, headed by the CPI (M), was in power in the state from 1977 till 2011.
Banerjee said 2.31 lakh nominations for Panchayat election were filed till Thursday (June 15). "Out of this, 82,000 nominations were filed by the TMC. Other parties filed 1-1.5 lakh nominations...Most of the people in BJP are thieves and goons," she was quoted by news agency ANI as saying.
On ties with the Congress, Banerjee said the Congress "has had a government in several states. They want our support in Parliament. We are ready to support them in opposing the BJP. But they should not come to us to seek support in Bengal after joining hands with CPI(M) (Communist Party of India (Marxist))."
Political tensions in West Bengal has seen violence, resulting in the death of one person ahead of upcoming panchayat polls due July 8. Three individuals were shot yesterday, the final day for filing nominations, of which one died. Several political parties – BJP, Congress and CPI (M) – accused the Trinamool Congress (TMC) of using muscle power to stop candidates of opposition parties from filing nominations.
Here are top developments on West Bengal panchayat polls violence
# 'Violence will not be tolerated': West Bengal Governor Ananda Bose
West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose visited South 24 Paraganas where violence has been rampant. The State Election Commission also extended the nomination fillings for certain groups as per a Calcutta High Court order.
Bose said that violence will not be tolerated. He made this statement after a visit to Bhangar where he interacted with locals and victims of violence.
"I can assure the people of Bengal that violence will be the first victim in this election. The perpetrators of violence will be silenced in a permanent way under the Constitution and law of the land," Bose said.
Bose added that peace-loving individuals of West Bengal should be able to exercise their franchise.
#WATCH | West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose in Bhangar, South 24 Paraganas to assess the impact of recent violence during nominations for panchayat elections pic.twitter.com/rVOdt8HSB6
— ANI (@ANI) June 16, 2023
The three individuals who were shot at, out of which one has been announced dead, were allegedly supporters of the Left Front and the Congress.
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has blamed the Trinamool Congress for the violence, but the ruling party has dismissed the allegation.
# West Bengal government objects to central forces' deployment
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government on Friday, however, filed a petition in the Calcutta High Court against the deployment of central forces in all districts of the state.
The court had yesterday directed the State Election Commission to clarify on the deployment of central forces.
Congress leader Abu Hasem Khan Chowdhury on Friday also filed a caveat in the Supreme Court over the ongoing election issue.
ALSO READ | ‘Am I sitting in Bengal or Bangladesh?’: NCBC head says Muslim castes in state OBC list ‘lop-sided’
# West Bengal SEC extends nomination filing
West Bengal State Election Commission, as per the order of the Calcutta High Court, extended the nomination filings for candidates.
This applies only to Siksha Bandhus and Voluntary resource persons, under the School education department nomination.
The time for filing the nominations for them was extended until closing hours of June 16.
# Bomb-making material found in Bhangar
Police on Friday also recovered bomb-making material in Bhangar, South 24 Paraganas amid the rising tension.
#WATCH | West Bengal Police recover bomb-making material in Bhangar, South 24 Paraganas, following recent violence during nominations for Panchayat elections pic.twitter.com/3TJD0gFN8B
— ANI (@ANI) June 16, 2023
# BJP alleges 25-30 workers previously injured
BJP leader Sudhanshu Trivedi on Friday alleged that 25-30 workers of the party were grievously injured.
He said, "We have received reports of 25-30 cases where our workers were grievously injured. What is more concerning is the irresponsible attitude of the state election commission towards these cases."
First Published: Jun 16, 2023 2:31 PM IST
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