West Bengal panchayat polls: Political blame game begins over violence

West Bengal Panchayat Poll was marred by widespread violence, resulting in deaths of locals, political workers. Three-tier panchayat elections in 20 districts were marked by widespread violence, looting of ballots papers and rigging. Several Ballot boxes were looted and destruction of ballot papers was reported from parts of West Bengal. Reacting sharply to the violence in West Bengal, BJP Leader Smriti Irani questioned Rahul Gandhi’s silence. 19 people were killed, and several injured in widespread violence during West Bengal Panchayat Polls. Meanwhile, Congress leader Adhir Chowdhury fumed at TMC, Mamata Banerjee over the violence. Union Minister Anurag Thakur reacted sharply to violence that erupted in West Bengal during the election. The panchayat elections were held on July 8 under tight security, with approximately 5.67 crore voters. The voters decided the fates of 2.06 lakh candidates eying for 73,887 seats in the rural areas of West Bengal.