West Bengal: 13 killed in violence amid voting for panchayat polls

At least 13 persons were killed in separate incidents of violence in West Bengal on Saturday during the panchayat polls in the state, reported PTI.

Eight Trinamool Congress Party members and one worker each of the Bharatiya Janata Party, the Communist Party of India (Marxist), the Congress, the Indian Secular Front and a supporter of an independent candidate are those among the dead.

The panchayat polls for 73,887 seats began at 7 am. Despite deployment of central security forces by a Calcutta High Court order last month, widespread violence has marred the polling process across the state.

The BJP has alleged that its polling agent, Madhav Biswas, in Falimari gram panchayat of Cooch Behar was shot dead by Trinamool Congress members, reported PTI.

“TMC goons hurled a bomb at my agent and killed him,” party candidate Maya Barman told the news agency. “They also attacked me.”

BJP MLA from Cooch Behar Nikhil Ranjan Dey accused West Bengal Election Commission Rajiv Sinha of covertly supporting the Trinamool Congress and allowing violence against the Opposition, reported ANI. He also said that the BJP will take the matter to the Calcutta High Court.

Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly, Suvendu Adhikari of the BJP, demanded that President’s Rule be imposed in the state. “The situation...

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