Ahead of panchayat elections in West Bengal, concerns about free and fair elections again flare up. Acknowledging the dark history of political violence in the state, the Calcutta High Court gave the order to deploy central forces for the 2024 panchayat elections. Shockingly, the West Bengal state election commission moved to the Supreme Court against the order of the High Court. The Supreme Court, by a vacation Bench comprising Justice BV Nagarathna and Justice Manoj Misra, however, dismissed the plea of the WB election commission against the deployment of central forces, citing the deployment as necessary to ensure free and fair elections.
Ahead of the elections, there have been incidences of sporadic violence across the states, with five deaths reported so far. A peace room has been established in the Kolkata Raj Bhavan for people to register their complaints, much to the annoyance of the state government.
Further, a war of words between the BJP and TMC continues, with the BJP, the Left, and the Congress accusing the ruling Trinamool Congress of preventing their candidates from filing nominations. The Trinamool Congress, however, maintains innocence. The latest series of violence since the announcement of panchayat polls on June 9 has been recorded in Bhangar (in West Bengal). On June 13, bombs were hurled, and on June 13, stones were pelted at the police after workers of the Trinamool Congress and the Indian Secular Front clashed. Similar erratic violence has been seen in other parts of the state, legitimizing the Calcutta HC order.
Political Violence has become typical in West Bengal. It must be recalled that in 2018, TMC won more than 95% of gram panchayat polls, of which a majority were uncontested. The opposition back then alleged they were not allowed to submit nominations. The TMC had faced criticism over violence and poll rigging. In this mayhem, the role of the police was also questioned. Further, after the 2019 assembly elections, the BJP accused TMC of perpetrating violence, and the case went to the CBI. The worst episode of political violence was the “post-poll violence in 2021,” with May 2 being labeled as a dark day for Kolkata. After TMC swept the polls, opposition party workers were targeted, and many of them fled the state fearing assault. More than 20 people lost their lives due to the violence. Claims of targeted vandalism and destruction of property were also made. All legitimizing the Calcutta High Court’s order to deploy armies to ensure free and fair elections.
Free and fair elections are crucial to every election, especially the panchayat election, as they determine control over politics at the grassroots level through area dominance. With respect to assembly election booth management, securing votes at the panchayat level becomes more crucial. With assembly elections in 2024, the 2024 panchayat elections for West Bengal will play an important role. It will further indicate the shifting sands of politics in West Bengal.
With political violence during elections or after poll results being classic to West Bengal, Unequivocally, the question arises: is politics above law and order?
