In the midst of escalating tensions surrounding the upcoming panchayat polls in West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has defended the nomination process, stating that it transpired as peacefully as possible. Her remarks come in response to criticism from Governor CV Ananda Bose, who expressed shock over the reported deaths during the pre-poll violence. Banerjee emphasized that election victories should be determined by votes, not by the count of casualties.
The governor’s comments followed a tragic incident in the Bhangar area of South 24 Parganas district, where two individuals lost their lives in renewed violence. The situation escalated as bombs were hurled, prompting police to intervene with tear gas shells to restore order. This unrest occurred on the final day of filing nomination papers for the panchayat polls.
During a public address in the affected district, Mamata Banerjee refuted claims that violence had prevented candidates from filing nominations, stating that over 200,000 nominations had been submitted. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) alone filed more than 80,000 nominations, while the remaining parties accounted for approximately 150,000 nominations.
Banerjee absolved the TMC of responsibility for the violence in Bhangar, asserting that the two individuals killed were supporters of her party. She attributed the incidents to the actions of “stray goons” rather than organized violence orchestrated by the TMC. Furthermore, she accused the BJP, Congress, and CPI(M) of conspiring against the TMC by instigating disturbances and violence during the nomination process. Banerjee confidently challenged opposition parties, demanding them to present a state where such a large number of nominations were filed as peacefully as in West Bengal.
Responding to the Calcutta High Court’s order to deploy central forces across all districts of the state, Mamata Banerjee criticized the central government, claiming that it was reacting disproportionately to isolated incidents. She highlighted that out of the 61,000 polling booths in West Bengal, the central focus remained on just two minor episodes. Banerjee drew attention to the deployment of central forces during the 2003 panchayat elections under the CPI(M) regime when over 70 people lost their lives throughout the electoral process.
The TMC leader also took aim at the Congress party, accusing it of aligning with the BJP and CPI(M) while simultaneously seeking support from the TMC in Parliament. Banerjee warned Congress against expecting assistance from her party in Bengal, given their association with the CPI(M).
As West Bengal braces for the panchayat polls amid tensions and sporadic violence, Mamata Banerjee’s assertion that the nomination process was relatively peaceful stands in contrast to the concerns raised by the governor and opposition parties. The deployment of central forces and the ongoing political maneuvering between parties further contribute to the charged atmosphere in the state. With the election approaching, all eyes are on West Bengal to see how the situation unfolds and whether peace and democracy prevail throughout the electoral process.
Sources By Agencies
