Violence, which marred last month’s panchayat polls in 17 districts of the State, continues to rage at certain places over the setting up of boards in the rural bodies. Opposition parties allege atrocities are being committed on a section of their elected representatives by activists of the ruling Trinamool Congress.
“There are malpractices even during the process of board formation by Trinamool Congress activists,” said Rabin Deb, State Secretariat member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), here on Sunday even as Abdul Mannan, spokesperson of the Congress, pointed out that the post-poll developments further reveal the “farcical nature” of the elections.
“The violence occurring during the ongoing process of board formation proves that Trinamool Congress’ claim, that allegations of violence were being raised only by those candidates lacking mass base, is hollow,” said Ritesh Tewari, State spokesperson of Bharatiya Janata Party.
Dismissing the charges, Trinamool Congress MP, Sultan Ahmed, said: “They are nothing but lame excuses by political parties that have been routed in the polls.”
In as many as five districts, Trinamool Congress activists have resorted to vandalism and violence to prevent elected Left Front candidates from participating in the process of board formation, alleged Mr. Deb.
The process of board formation in Jalpaiguri district’s Kumargramduar had to be put on hold because of Trinamool Congress activists’ vandalism on Friday, he charged.
The Left Front has an absolute majority in Jalpaiguri district and will form the zilla parishad there.
In the Chandipur area of Purba Medinipur district the Left Front and the Trinamool Congress have won nine seats each. The Left Front candidates won the toss to decide who will form the board there.
“But the goons of Trinamool Congress drove away the Left Front candidates and formed the board by force,” Mr. Deb charged. “This is totally illegal.”
“To prevent them from participating in the process of board formation, elected Left Front candidates are being arrested on false charges,” he said.
