West Bengal: 80 pc votes polled in Panchayat election
The Panchayat election has once again exposed the organizational weakness of the CPI-M, Congress, BJP and ISF. Except for some stray incidents, the polling was peaceful in 14 districts.
The Panchayat election has once again exposed the organizational weakness of the CPI-M, Congress, BJP and ISF. Except for some stray incidents, the polling was peaceful in 14 districts.
Widespread violence and arson since panchayat polls started in north Bengal culminated in polling on Saturday.
"I am hurt to find that West Bengal has turned out to be a gas chamber of democracy... People are losing faith in democratic process. I am aghast and cannot believe that the electoral process could be so polluted. It was a war where the entire administration and the police machinery was on side along with the dispensation that is in power and the state election commission headed by the state election commissioner has abdicated its authority.."
State government has clarified that government and private establishments, schools and colleges, shops, markets, industrial establishments, transport and all sectors will remain open and function normally tomorrow.
"The party will not accept the use of violence and muscle power by its candidates during the upcoming civic polls in West Bengal. This has been a conscious decision made by the party and the party will take strong action against anyone who goes against."
Supreme Court judge, Justice Indira Banerjee on Friday recused herself from hearing a petition seeking a CBI/SIT probe into the…
Section 144 prohibits assembly of five or more people in an area. The EC said that the prohibitory orders will remain in place till further notice.
The BJP, on the other hand, has written to Chief Electoral Officer, West Bengal, alleging violence in nine parliamentary constituencies of the state.
The development comes a day after BJP and TMC supporters on Tuesday clashed during a massive roadshow by BJP president Amit Shah in Kolkata.
West Bengal is the only state to have recorded poll violence in every Lok Sabha election phase held so far.
