The West Bengal Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has accused the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) of violating the model code of conduct in the upcoming Bengal Panchayat elections. In a letter to the State Election Commissioner, the BJP raised concerns about the alleged misconduct by the TMC and called for prompt action.
Governor CV Ananda Bose visited violence-hit areas in Cooch Behar district, where political clashes had occurred leading up to the panchayat elections scheduled for July 8. During his visit, Governor Bose met with the families of two victims who were killed in political clashes in June and also visited the injured at a hospital.
Sambhu Das, the brother-in-law of a BJP panchayat candidate, was killed on June 17, while TMC worker Babu Haque was killed last week due to political unrest in the state. Another BJP leader, Prasanta Basunia, was allegedly shot dead in June. Governor Bose met with the family members of Das and Basunia during his visit.
Political clashes erupted in Cooch Behar district after the dates for the panchayat elections were announced last month. Opposition candidates and workers from the BJP, Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPIM), and Congress expressed their concerns about the recent incidents of violence in the district during a meeting with Governor Bose at the circuit house. Some claimed that TMC employees were preventing them from campaigning before the election.
Allegations also surfaced that a Congress candidate’s home had been attacked and set on fire. Clashes were reported in Bhangore, South 24 Parganas, where crude bombs were hurled, and a clash broke out between TMC and CPIM in Duttapukur, North 24 Parganas.
Since the announcement of the panchayat polls in early June, at least 11 people have been killed and dozens have been injured across the state. The Calcutta High Court has ordered the state election commission to deploy central forces in all districts.
The Bengal Panchayat elections have been marred by violence and allegations of misconduct. The BJP has raised concerns about the TMC’s violation of the model code of conduct, while Governor Bose has visited violence-hit areas to assess the situation firsthand. As the elections draw near, it is crucial for measures to be taken to ensure the safety and fairness of the electoral process.
