BJP Trails Behind TMC In West Bengal Panchayat Elections, Secures Limited Seats

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has achieved a sweeping victory in the West Bengal panchayat elections, emerging as clear winner in all three levels of rural local government.

Out of 3,317 gram panchayats, the TMC secured 2,552, along with 232 panchayat samitis and 12 out of 20 zilla parishads.

The BJP, on the other hand, lagged far behind with only 212 gram panchayats, seven panchayat samitis, and no zilla parishads.

There are still some pending results from the elections.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her gratitude to the people for their unwavering support and affection towards the TMC, stating that the election results confirm the party's deep connection with the people of West Bengal. She shared her appreciation in a Facebook post.

The counting of votes for the panchayat elections commenced yesterday morning, with a total of over 74,000 seats up for election. This includes 63,229 gram panchayat seats, 9,730 panchayat samiti seats, and 928 zilla parishad seats.

The recent polls in West Bengal, which were seen as a popularity test for Trinamool president and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, were marred by widespread violence on Saturday (8 July).

Violence continued to plague the repolling that took place on Monday in several booths. Shockingly, the death toll due to poll-related violence has reached around 40 since Saturday (8 July).

The repolling, conducted in 696 booths, was overshadowed by allegations of electoral fraud, booth capturing, and numerous reports of electoral irregularities and voter suppression during the initial polling.

Last night, violence erupted in Bhangar, South 24 Parganas, with reports of gunshots being fired. As a result, there are fears of a fatality, and a police officer has also been injured.

Bengal BJP leaders are currently on a dharna, protesting against alleged result fabrication in the Panchayat Polls.

They believe that the election results have been tampered with, and are demanding a fair and transparent process. The leaders are determined to fight for justice and ensure that the true will of the people is reflected in the final outcome.

Mamata Banerjee, the leader of Trinamool Congress, expressed her confidence in the party's performance in the rural areas of Bengal during the Panchayat Polls.

She believes that Trinamool has emerged victorious and has a strong presence in the rural regions. Banerjee's statement reflects her satisfaction with the party's lead in the polls and her optimism for the future.

With the Panchayat Polls underway in Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, the leader of Trinamool Congress, is pleased with the party's performance in the rural areas. She believes that Trinamool has established its dominance in these regions and is confident in its success. Banerjee's statement highlights her trust in the party's ability to connect with rural voters and secure their support.

On Tuesday (11 July), there was an explosion near a counting center in Murshidabad, while in Howrah, the police had to resort to using batons to disperse a crowd.

Suvendu Adhikari, Leader of the opposition in the Bengal Assembly according to news agency PTI said "TMC goons are making desperate attempt to steal the elections by obstructing the counting agents and candidates of the BJP and other opposition political parties from entering counting centres. They are being restricted from going towards the venue, and bombs are being hurled to intimidate counting agents".

The Trinamool party has stated that 60 per cent of the individuals killed in election-related violence were either their own workers or supporters.

Trinamool leader Abhishek Banerjee responded over twitter to allegations of poll manipulation, stating that even a malicious campaign with baseless propaganda could not sway the voters in the AITC State Government in West Bengal.

Abhishek Banerjee expressed gratitude to the people for converting the Opposition's "No Vote To Mamata" campaign into a "Now Vote For Mamata" campaign.

Banerjee Tweeted "The dejection of the combined opposition of BJP, CPIM & INC pales in comparison to the sadness that must be felt by friends from mainstream media".

Following the widespread violence and accusations of election fraud, West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose submitted a report to Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Bose also issued a stern warning of consequences for those implicated in the violence.