Biswabrata Goswami
MIDNAPORE, 8 JULY: In the three-tier panchayat polls held today in East and West Midnapore and Jhargram districts of West Bengal, the electoral process was almost peaceful barring a few stray incidents of violence, booth rigging, jamming, and forceful casting of votes. Despite the overall turnout reaching approximately 68 percent in West Midnapore, 69 percent in East Midnapore, and 65 percent in Jhargram until 5 pm, suspicions arose that polling would extend late into the night in many areas.
The CPI-M leader, Tapas Sinha, alleged that central forces were not adequately deployed at most booths, enabling ruling Trinamul Congress (TMC) workers to capture the polling stations and forcefully cast votes. The majority of booths were reportedly manned by civic police and homeguards.
One incident occurred in Keshpur, where a clash erupted between workers from the Congress and the Trinamul Congress, resulting in injuries to several individuals in the Uchahar area. In Garhbeta, a ballot box was damaged by ruling party workers at Kharkhuta, leading to a suspension of polling for a few hours.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders alleged that the ruling party deliberately refrained from deploying central forces at booths, facilitating the looting of votes across various districts. Complaints of booth jamming, rigging, and intimidation were reported from Khejuri, Pataspur, Nandigram, Bhagwanpur in East Midnapore, Salboni, Garbeta, Daspur, and Ghatal in West Midnapore, as well as Belpahari, Banshpahari, and Kankrajhore areas in Jhargram.
In Nandigram, women voters staged a protest before an Election Commission (EC) official, demanding the deployment of central forces. One protester even held onto the official’s leg, threatening to consume poison if central forces were not deployed. Several women brandished poison bottles during the demonstration.
A BJP leader in West Midnapore criticized the election process, denouncing it as a “farce.” He claimed that when the Election Commission and the government conspire to allow the ruling TMC to manipulate the election, such incidents are bound to occur. He further asserted that although central forces were present, they were not deployed at the polling booths.
In response to the clamor for the deployment of central forces amid the violence, the TMC criticized opposition parties and questioned the whereabouts of the central forces brought in for the elections. The ruling party accused them of creating a false narrative.
Suvendu Adhikari, the BJP leader in the state assembly, called for the implementation of President’s Rule in West Bengal. Speaking to the media, Adhikari criticized the appointment of Rajiva Sinja as governor and demanded action, stating that over 15 people had lost their lives due to violence instigated by TMC goons. He urged the central government to intervene using either Article 355 or 356 and emphasized the need for action from the custodian of the constitution.
CPM leader Tapas Sinha echoed similar sentiments, blaming the ruling Trinamul Congress for orchestrating the incidents of violence. Sinha alleged that the ruling party had premeditated the disturbances on polling day to facilitate the looting of votes.
Tags: #PanchayatPolls #Violance #WestMidnapore #Jhargram #EastMidnapore #Nandigram