Bengal Election Violence: 19 Dead, BJP Questions Opposition’s “Silence” on “Murder of Democracy”
At least 19 people died as a result of the election-related violence in West Bengal’s Panchayat election on Saturday. Bomb explosions at various locations were reported in many occurrences around the state. Political parties were accused of using coercive methods, and the BJP requested new elections.
Security officers said that the West Bengal State Election Commission neglected to give locations and other information about crucial voting booths before the elections, despite repeated requests.
We had sent the West Bengal State Election Commission a number of letters asking for information on sensitive voting places, but on June 7 the West Bengal government replied with just the names of the sensitive polling places and no more information. SS Guleria, DIG BSF, was reported by ANI as stating that the 59,000 members of the CAPF and state armed police from 25 states were not used to their full potential in security operations.
Two workers from the BJP and CPI(M) perished during the crucial three-tier panchayat elections, according to reports, while 13 deceased belonged to the state’s governing TMC party. In the violence at the polls, a voter and a member of Congress were also slain.
According to reports from observers and returning officials, Rajiva Sinha, the state election commissioner for West Bengal, has promised to resolve concerns of vote fraud and examine the possibility of a new election.
Anurag Thakur, a union minister, attacked the Congress and other opposition figures harshly on Saturday for their “silence” on the “murder of democracy” in West Bengal.
“The announcement of West Bengal’s panchayat elections is comparable to the beginning of the murder of democracy. It becomes commonplace to beat people, detonate bombs, and burn everything on fire,” Thakur added.
In West Bengal, democracy is stifled and murdered. Leaders of the Trinamool Congress and (Chief Minister) Mamata Banerjee would do everything to win elections. committing crimes against women or attacking others,” he continued.
