And here are the much-awaited results of the West Bengal panchayat elections, where the Trinamool Congress (TMC) swept the polls, winning a majority in all three tiers of the rural local government. Mamata Banerjees TMC won 2,552 out of 3,317 gram panchayats, 232 panchayat samitis and 12 out of 20 zilla parishads. While TMC topped the election, its close-rival Bharatiya Janata Party stood second, winning only 212 gram panchayats, 7 panchayat samitis and no zilla parishads seats. However, some of the results are still awaited. CM Mamata Banerjee celebrates TMCs victoryCelebrating victory on social media, Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said in a Facebook post, “Its TMC in rural Bengal. I want to thank the people for their love, affection and support towards the TMC. This election has proved that only TMC resides in the heart of the people of the state.”The counting of votes for the panchayat polls began yesterday morning. More than 74,000 seats are up for grabs, including 63,229 gram panchayat seats, 9,730 panchayat samiti seats, and 928 zilla parishad seats. Voilence during the pollsThe poll also sparked tension with the poll-bound state, claiming several lives. On Monday, the polling was marred by violence in several booths, killing 15 people. Amid the allegation of electoral fraud, booth capturing, and multiple reports of electoral irregularities and voter suppression, re-polling was held in 696 booths in the entire state. On Tuesday morning, Explosives were detonated near a counting centre in Murshidabad while the police had to use batons to disperse a crowd in Howrah.BJP takes a swipe at TMCHitting out at the ruling party (TMC), the BJP accused Mamata Banerjees party of making desperate attempts to loot votes by preventing opposition observers from entering counting centres. Speaking to the media, the leader of the opposition, Suvendu Adhikari said, “TMC goons are making desperate attempts 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.”Citing the number of deaths, the Trinamool claimed that over 60 per cent of the people killed in poll violence were either their workers or supporters. TMCs response over allegationsIn a response to the oppositions allegations of poll manipulation, TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee said, “Even a malicious campaign with baseless propaganda to malign the AITC State Govt in WB couldnt sway the voters!”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.Even a malicious campaign with baseless propaganda to malign the AITC State Govt in WB couldnt sway the voters! (1/2)— Abhishek Banerjee (@abhishekaitc) July 11, 2023“Grateful to the people for converting Oppositions No Vote To Mamata campaign to Now Vote For Mamata,” he added.Grateful to the people for converting Oppns NO VOTE TO MAMATA campaign to NOW VOTE FOR MAMATA.With unwavering support to #TrinamooleNaboJowar, well surely have a roaring mandate, paving the way for LS elections. Bengal, I thank you for all the love. #GramBanglayTMC (2/2)— Abhishek Banerjee (@abhishekaitc) July 11, 2023Taking notes from the rampant violence and allegations of vote tampering, the West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose will submit a report to the Union Minister Amit Shah. Further, Bose also warned of stern action against those involved in the mayhem.
