Tensions break out in West Bengal ahead of Panchayat elections

A day after violence broke out in West Bengal’s Bhangar, another clash was reported between Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Indian Secular Front (ISF) workers outside the Block Development Office in Canning in South 24 Paraganas over the filing of nominations for the upcoming state Panchayat elections.

Clashes were reported at Daspur in Paschim Medinipur district, Kakdwip in South 24 Parganas, Raninagar in Murshidabad, Saktinagar and Barshul in Purba Bardhaman and Minakhan in North 24 Parganas district on Monday.

Visuals from the scene on Tuesday showed chaotic scenes with the sound of gunshots being fired. The ISF alleged that party workers who went to file nominations for the upcoming West Bengal panchayat polls were assaulted by TMC thugs.

“When our party workers went to file nomination, they were beaten up by TMC goons,” Nawsad Siddique, the lone ISF MLA said. Speaking about the security situation in Bengal, the legislator said that the Opposition is being “beaten up everywhere” in the state and “every place has become sensitive,” ahead of the upcoming election.

The Election Commission should appoint a special observer for every booth, the MLA said adding that security should be provided by the local administration and the local police.

Opposition parties in the state, including the BJP, Congress, CPI(M) have accused the State Election Commission of favouring the TMC and “functioning as its frontal organisation.” The parties have also called for central security forces to be deployed to the state, arguing that  it will be “impossible” to conduct peaceful and fair elections otherwise.

“State police is not sufficient in ensuring everyone’s security. People will not come out to vote if such a condition prevails,” Siddique warned. The MLA also alleged that his party was not invited to the all-party meeting called by the Election Commission. “No one invited us to the all-party meeting called by the EC though we are the third largest party. We will take this up legally,” he said.