Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Friday strongly criticized the Trinamool Congress (TMC) for widespread violence during panchayat elections in West Bengal and asked them to learn what democracy is and how to conduct free, fair and peaceful elections.
To be sure , Addressing workers in an organizational meeting in Julaibari, Saha called upon West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and TMC leaders to visit Tripura to understand what democracy is and how peaceful elections can be held.
Furthermore, the chief minister urged his party workers to reach out to TMC supporters in Tripura and tell them about the violence during the West Bengal elections, which resulted in the loss of 18 lives.
“It is important for you to visit Trinamool Congress supporters’ homes and inform them about the tragic incidents in West Bengal. Around 18 people lost their lives during the Panchayat elections in West Bengal. Trinamool Congress leaders should come to Tripura To understand the real essence of democracy” he said.
CM Saha said, “We strongly believe in conducting peaceful elections without resorting to hooliganism.”
He condemned TMC workers for their involvement in the killing of BJP party workers during the election process. Saha emphasized that TMC’s history of violence extends far beyond targeting ordinary citizens and includes workers of his own party.
CM Saha said, “We have seen their disregard for human life in the past when they targeted innocent citizens and our own party workers. West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee should come to Tripura to learn how to conduct elections peacefully”.
Manik Saha highlighted that in the 2023 assembly elections, Tripura set a remarkable example by conducting elections without any violence or disruption.
Panchayat elections in West Bengal were held on 8 July and the counting of votes for 63,229 gram panchayat seats took place on 11 July.
The TMC has won 28,985 seats and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) 7,764, while the Congress has won 2,022 seats so far. According to the State Election Commission (SEC), TMC is leading in 1,540 panchayat seats, while BJP is leading in 417 seats.
The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) has won 2,409 seats and is leading in 260 seats. Other parties have won 725 seats and are leading in 23 seats, while independents, including TMC rebels, have won 1,656 seats and are leading in 104 seats.
The elections, held on July 8 amid tight security, saw the participation of nearly 5.67 crore voters and decided the fate of 2.06 lakh candidates for 73,887 seats in rural areas of West Bengal.
However, polling day was marred by widespread violence, looting and rigging of ballots. Booth capturing, damage to ballot boxes and attacks on presiding officers were reported from several districts like Murshidabad, Cooch Behar, Malda, South 24 Parganas, North Dinajpur and Nadia.
There were also reports of burning of ballot boxes and clashes between political parties at various places.
As a result, re-polling was conducted in 697 booths in 22 Zilla Parishads, 9,730 Panchayat Samitis and 63,239 Gram Panchayat seats in 19 districts of the state.
The re-polling process was conducted under the supervision of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) without any reports of violence. (ANI)
