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."
The car belonging to BJP MP Babul Supriyo was vandalised outside a polling booth in the morning at Barabani.
The PM was referring to the incidents of political violence reported from the state in the first three phases of the Lok Sabha elections 2019.
The man, identified as Tiyarul Sheikh, was seriously injured when he was hit by sticks during a clash between workers of Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Congress.
The five seats going to the polls are Balurghat, Malda North, Malda South, Jangipur and Murshidabad where 80,23,846 voters will decide the fate of 61 candidates.
Voting across 5,390 polling stations began at 7 am and will end at 6 pm in the three constituencies.
