It seems like mobocracy has replaced democracy: WB Guv CV Ananda Bose
Following the murder of a TMC worker in a fight over the filing of nomination papers for the panchayat elections there, West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose visited Canning in South 24 Parganas district on Saturday evening and said that “mobocracy seems to have taken over democracy” in the state.
After visiting Bhangore in the same area, where three people were murdered in fighting between two political groups, Bose travelled to Canning the next day.
The governor said he saw among the general public a lack of confidence to exercise their right to vote due to “intimidation, strongarm tactics, and flexing of muscles” after interacting with villagers, police personnel, and members of opposing political parties.
According to sources in the Raj Bhavan, Bose postponed his planned travel to Chennai to see Canning.
“I had personally seen what occurred here. I have heard the victims’ stories of misery that they related to me. I’m so upset right now. This circumstance is in no way acceptable. The average person has the right to use this franchise without restriction or favouritism. They seem to lack confidence, in my opinion.
“This violates the basic principles of democracy. According to the governor, mobocracy seems to have supplanted democracy. Since last week, conflicts in West Bengal over the submission of nomination papers for the June 8 panchayat elections have resulted in at least five fatalities.
First, Bose visited Canning Hospital More where he interacted with residents and opposition party leaders who lamented their inability to submit nominations. At the headquarters of the irrigation department, he later met with top police and administration officials.
“The governor must protect the rights of the average person because he is the keeper of the Constitution. I’m resolved to stand with the people and make sure that they can exercise their right to a free and fair election, he said.
The Trinamool Congress, which is now in power, was not pleased with Bose’s visit and accused him of acting as a “BJP agent.”
The Governor, according to TMC spokesman Kunal Ghosh, is “maligning” the TMC based on claims made by the CPI(M), Congress, and BJP.
Kalyan Banerjee, a senior TMC lawmaker, questioned, “Is the governor a political agent? Why didn’t he pay a last respect to the victims of the train wreck? He stays away if a Trinamool member passes away.
The June 2 Odisha train tragedy claimed the lives of a number of West Bengal residents.
