Kolkata: West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose has traveled to New Delhi where he is scheduled to meet with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and submit a report on the violence that occurred during the state's panchayat elections, according to an official statement.
The violent incidents during the polling on Saturday resulted in the deaths of at least 15 individuals. The meeting between Governor Bose and Amit Shah is expected to take place on Monday morning.
During the polling on Saturday, Governor Bose visited various locations, primarily in the North 24 Parganas district, to assess the situation. He met with the family members of an injured person and also visited a hospital where the individual was receiving treatment.
In the aftermath of the panchayat elections, three abandoned ballot boxes were discovered in a drain in Murshidabad, a district that witnessed violent clashes. This discovery reflects the prevailing tension and the public's reluctance to venture out due to reported threats from the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC).
A local resident expressed the public's fear, stating, "The situation is not good after the elections, the general public is also not coming out due to fear. The general public is in panic. If anyone comes out, TMC threatens."
West Bengal witnessed numerous incidents of violence and arson during the three-tiered panchayat polls in rural areas.
The elections witnessed a fierce contest between the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the BJP, which has emerged as the state's second-largest political party. The outcome of Saturday's elections will serve as a crucial test for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in 2024.
Different political parties have claimed casualties. The TMC claimed nine members were killed, while the Congress claimed three of their supporters lost their lives. The BJP stated that two of their supporters were killed, and the CPI(M) claimed that two of their members were also killed. Two of the deceased individuals were not affiliated with any political party.
The State Election Commission (SEC) has requested detailed reports on the deaths from the respective district magistrates (DMs) within 24 hours.
The panchayat elections featured a total of 73,887 seats in the state's three-tier system, with 2.06 lakh candidates vying for positions. The voter turnout recorded was 66.28%, with approximately 5.67 crore eligible voters residing in the state's rural areas.