The Indian Express (Delhi Edition)
Amid Mamata-bjp slugfest, a look at shadow of violence on Bengal elections
A POLITICAL row erupted in West Bengal Saturday after a team of NIA was allegedly attacked by villagers at Bhupatinagar in East Medinipur district, where they had gone to investigate a 2022 bomb blast case in which three people were killed.
CM Mamata Banerjee said, “The attack was not carried out by women of Bhupatinagar, but by NIA. Will the women sit back if they are attacked? Why did they raid at midnight ?” The BJP slam med the tmc government, pointing out that the ED officers were also allegedly assaulted in Sandeshkhali in January.
Political violence during elections has a long history in Bengal. During the erstwhile Left Front rule, almost every election was marred by violence, with deaths reported from across the state. The violence would reach its peak during panchayat elections. It has been relatively lesser during the Assembly and Lok Sabha polls, when security is provided by central paramilitary forces.
In 2003 panchayat polls, 76 people died during election, of whom 45 died in Murshidabad district alone. In 2008, when Left began to lose ground to a resurgent TMC, over 30 were killed in violence during panchayat polls.
In 2013, following a tussle between the Mamata government, which took charge in 2011, and State election commissioner mir a Pande, panchayat polls were held under central security cover. Yet, 39 people died. In the 2018 panchayat polls, when the TMC won 34% of seats uncontested, the death toll stood at 29, with 12 deaths reported on polling day.
The tm cw as said to have paid the price of 2018 panchayat poll violence in 2019 LS polls, when it lost 12 seats it had won in 2014 to end up with 22 seats. The BJP emerged as main Opposition in the state with 18 seats in 2019 polls, up from two in 2014.
The 2021 assembly polls were also mar red by violence. however, the image of the state was hurt more by large-scale post-poll violence. The Calcutta HC had to order a CBI probe as reports of murder, rape and clashes poured in after May 2, 2021, when the poll results were declared.
During panchayat polls last year, over 50 people were killed in poll violence. the tm cw on about 10% panchayat seats uncontested as Opposition managed to put up a brave front in rural areas. The TMC may be wary this time of a repeat of rural poll blowback damaging its parliamentary poll prospects. TMC state vice-president Jay Prakash Majumdar said it was the Left Front that had “institutionalised” poll violence in Bengal. BJP spokesperson Samik Bh attach ar ya said ,“the tm c is responsible for perpetuating violence during elections. In every election, Opposition workers are targeted by ruling party activists.”