At least 12 people died and scores of others sustained injuries in violence that broke out at several places in West Bengal, hours after voting began for panchayat polls in 20 districts on Monday, 14 May.
On Tuesday, PM Modi said the violence that broke out during the polls was a murder of democracy.
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has now sought a report from the West Bengal government regarding the incidents of violence.
The BJP and CPI(M) have accused the ruling Trinamool Congress of allowing the violence to spread across the state.
- 72.5 percent of the electorate cast their votes till 5 pm
- Left parties protested outside the State Election Commission office against incidents of violence
- Violence reported in Cooch Behar, Bhangar, South 24 Parganas, Murshidabad districts
- Incidents of booth capturing, allegedly by TMC workers, have come to light
'Democracy Was Murdered': PM Pans TMC Govt Over Panchayat Poll Violence
PM Modi hit out at the Trinamool Congress government in West Bengal over violence during the panchayat elections in the state on 15 May in Delhi, saying democracy was "murdered" for narrow political interests.
“The way democracy was murdered... from (filing of) nominations to polling, democracy had no place,” he said.
Addressing BJP workers at the party headquarters in Delhi, Modi claimed that efforts were made to ensure that "opposition candidates are unable to file their nominations so that ruling party members are elected unopposed".
"Ballot boxes were found in a pond... innocent party workers, not only of the BJP but of other parties too, were killed," he said.
(With PTI inputs)
Voting Closes with 72.5% Turnout
Despite sporadic instances of violence, clashes between political groups, and booth capturing, allegedly by the TMC worker, 72.5% of the electorate exercised their right to vote in West Bengal panchayat elections. The poll-related violence had taken the total to 12 by the end of the day, compelling the Ministry of Home Affairs to seek a report from the Mamata Banerjee-led government.
The CPI (M) and the BJP accused TMC workers of perpetrating violence, booth capturing, barring people from casting their votes at several places. The TMC leaders, on the other hand, claimed that there were minor incidents of violence and voting continued peacefully.
A record thirty-four percent of the total panchayat seats had remained contested, a clear majority of which was won by the TMC. Derek O'Brien, the TMC leader, attributed the victory on uncontested seats to the party’s grassroots presence.
Six Poll-Related Deaths: DGP
Addressing the media, West Bengal DGP Surajit Kar Purukayastha said that while there were six poll-related deaths, the deaths of six other people were not related to the polls on Monday.
The identity of six more is yet to be ascertained. Three police personnel have also been injured. In 2013, 25 people were killed in the election. The security has been taken care of.Surajit Kar Purukayastha, DGP, West Bengal
72.5% Polling Recorded Till 5 pm
The polling recorded till 5 pm for the West Bengal panchayat elections was 72.5 percent. However, the final numbers are yet to come in as voting is still on in some areas where there were disruptions.