West Bengal panchayat elections: Yechury says poll panel must act to restore faith in electoral process

The West Bengal State Election Commission has received complaints of violence from several districts less than three hours after polling began for panchayat elections in state.

CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury on Monday said the West Bengal State Election Commission (SEC) will be seen as complicit in the ruling Trinamool Congress’ “project of destroying democracy” if it does not act to restore faith in the electoral process.

The CPI(M) will fight alongside the people to restore democracy and normalcy, Yechury added.

Three people were killed and several injured during the West Bengal panchayat elections as clashes broke out at several places between rival groups on Monday.

“The Election Commission of West Bengal must act to restore faith in the process. Else it will be seen as complicit in TMC’s project of destroying democracy. Allowing TMC to get away with throttling democracy has implications well beyond West Bengal,” Yechury said on Twitter.

One person was killed and three injured in South Dinajpur district’s Tapan area after a bomb was hurled outside a polling station. The police are yet to confirm the death.

The SEC received complaints of violence from several districts less than three hours after polling began for panchayat elections in state. It has asked the police to take action, SEC officials said.

Reports of violence were received from North 24 Parganas, Burdwan, Coochbehar and South 24 Parganas districts, they said.