Panchayat Elections in West Bengal: Slaughter of Democracy by Mamata Regime

Kolkata: THE ruling TMC in West Bengal has resorted to full-fledged assault on democracy and the rule of law as panchayat elections have started to become a farce. From the declaration of schedule to murderous attacks on opposition candidates in the nomination process, this year’s panchayat elections have brought out the authoritarian character of the TMC most crudely.

The chief minister has herself declared repeatedly that she wanted ‘opposition-free panchayats’. Her party leaders, including MPs called upon party activists to ensure that no opposition member gets elected. The monstrous process has thus started.

Though the three tier panchayat is a constitutional arrangement, every democratic norm is being violated in West Bengal. To begin with, panchayat elections were declared suddenly. In the all party meeting, held just two days before the announcement, the state election commissioner refused to discuss probable dates and confessed that he was ‘totally dependent’ on the state administration. On March 31, the State Election Commission declared the schedule. The three phase elections will be held on May 1st, 3rd and 5th. The nomination process has started from April 2. It will continue up to April 9. The process started with notification, virtually providing no time to opposition parties to prepare. The total number of seats in panchayat is 58,692. Only seven days are available for filing of nomination in such huge number of seats. Though three-phase elections have been declared, surprisingly the last date for filing of nomination is the same for all phases. The schedule also clashes with ongoing higher secondary examinations in the state. This will hinder the campaign as microphones would not be used during this period.

The schedule has also brought out nefarious designs of the ruling party. While 12 districts will go to polls on the first day, only two - Birbhum and Murshidabad - will be in the second. These two districts have been selected to intensify terror.

As soon as the process of collecting and filing of nomination papers started on April 2, TMC armed gangs began to cordon Block Development Offices (BDO), Sub Divisional Offices (SDO), and even District Magistrate’s offices in some districts. The plan is simple: the ruling party will not allow the opposition to collect and submit nomination papers. This is a new method which was applied partially in 2013 in Birbhum and some other districts. This year it has become the dominant feature in the state in the first stage of terror. The right to contest an election, a constitutional right, has become endangered, in what may be termed as, ‘pre-election rigging’.

In Birbhum, TMC miscreants gathered in numbers in Siuri, Rampurhat, Labhpur, Nanur, Ilambazar, Bolpur, Nalhati 2, Murarai, Dubrajpur and Mohammad Bazar. They cordoned the offices and chased away CPI(M), Left Front and other opposition activists who came to either collect or submit nominations. In Rampurhat, CPI(M) member of Budhigram panchayat, Panai Sheikh was brutally attacked. Sheikh is a disabled person from birth. Despite that, he was mercilessly beaten and was later admitted to hospital. CPI(M) panchayat member Rana Let was mercilessly beaten in Rampurhat. CPI(M) candidate Mitali Das was manhandled, her voter card and other documents snatched, her husband beaten in Nalhati. TMC district president and an infamous muscleman Anubrata Mondal has boasted in front of media,  “Whenever opposition supporters try to submit nomination, they will see development stands in front of them”. It was clear that he meant TMC armed gangs as ‘development’. On the second and third day, TMC cadre openly exhibited swords, knives in front of block offices. In Mauyreswar-1, they virtually blocked the entrance and CPI(M) candidate Sajjad Mirza was attacked. In Rampurhat, CPI(ML) candidate and secretary of Rampurhat Bar Association Prodyot Mukherjee was severely beaten. In Siuri, BJP leader Kalosona Mondal was stabbed in the vicinity of the DM office. Presence of media persons is banned in Birbhum block offices by the fatwa of the TMC.

On April 2, CPI(M) candidates from villages in Borjora in Bankura district came to file their nomination at the block office. TMC gangs attacked them injuring more than 30 persons including women. CPI(M) district committee member Sujoy Chowdhury, Borjora panchayat samiti member Sharif Mondal, and others were injured. Attacks continued in different parts of Bankura. In Bankura town itself, no Left Front candidate was allowed to enter the BDO office. In Hirbandh, CPI(M) activists were brutally beaten when they entered the BDO office. Many of them were injured. However, local people retaliated and chased away the TMC miscreants. In Ranibandh, TMC miscreants attacked CPI(M) activists. Later in a clash, a BJP candidate, Ajit Murmu was killed.

In East Midnapore, CPI(M) candidates were attacked in Khejuri, Panskura and Sutahata. In Sutahata, CPI(M) MLA Tapashi Mondal was attacked as she led Left Front candidates to the block office. Nur Alam, Sabhapati of Sutahata panchayat samiti was severely beaten.

In Burdwan East, block offices in Galsi, Ketugram-2, Katwa, Aushgram-2, Raina-1, Khandaghosh have been surrounded. CPI(M) leaders and candidates were attacked.

In South 24 Parganas, TMC has organised an attack in Budge Budge-1, Budge Budge-2, Falta, Magrahat-2, Diamond Harbour-2 and prevented CPI(M) candidates from collecting nomination forms.

In North 24 Parganas, TMC activists attacked CPI(M) office in Murarishah, Hasnabad and attacked Party activists. TMC gangs cordoned a market area to attack CPI(M) activists, creating largescale panic among people. CPI(M) district committee member  Shakti Mukherjee was injured among others. In Minakha, TMC activists took position within BDO office and severely beat up CPI(M) candidates.

In Coochbehar, Left Front candidates were prevented from submission of nomination forms. They were attacked and journalists were mercilessly beaten up by TMC activists.

In Raiganj in North Dinajpur, TMC gangs started firing and charged bombs to disperse opposition candidates on April 4. They terrorised the entire town and searched for CPI(M) and opposition activists. TMC armed gangs blocked nomination process in Kaliyaganj, Itahar.

In Murshidabad district, block offices in Raghunathganj, Kandi, Baroan, Salar, Raninahar, Jalangi, Nabagram, Murshidanad-Jiaganj have been captured by TMC miscreants. CPI(M) offices in Raninagar and Sherpur were vandalised.

In Hooghly, TMC armed gangs have taken control of block offices in Haripal, Jangipara and Goghat.

In almost all areas, the police have become an accomplice of the the TMC. In some districts, police have actively participated in chasing away opposition activists.

However, in such an atmosphere of State-sponsored terror, Left Front activists are trying their level best to submit nominations, braving attacks and intimidations.

NON-EXISTENT STATE ELECTION COMMISSION

The State Election Commission has abjectly surrendered and has remained totally insensitive to atrocities committed. Left Front delegation has met the state election commissioner regularly but he expressed his inability to address any of the grievances. Left Front delegation has demanded security during the nomination process, which is practically absent in districts. Apart from direct attacks, the system of providing provisional caste certificates has been cancelled. The very short time span available for nomination has made this process more difficult. State Election Commission has also failed to explain the rationale behind this schedule. While only seven days are available for submission of nominations, same number of days are allotted for withdrawal. It has been apprehended that the TMC would pressurise and force opposition candidates to withdraw.

The first phase of voting will take place on the May Day. Central trade unions, Left parties and many other organisations have forcefully objected to this denigration of International Working Peoples’ Day and demanded a change in the schedule. Trade unions have organized a rally in front of the State Election Commission’s office.

To recollect, in Mamata Banerjee’s reign, one state election commissioner had to move to courts seeking protection of her duties under tremendous threat from the state government and another was forced to resign during the election process, threatened by state ministers.

CPI(M) state secretary Surjyakanta Misra, in a press meet, said that earlier we have seen booth capturing by the TMC in every elections in West Bengal in their regime. But now BDO, SDO, even DM offices are being captured. Opposition parties are not being allowed even to submit nomination. Police is a mere spectator or partner in the crime. Opposition candidates are being attacked in the premises of administrative offices. State Election Commission has become immobile from the very beginning and the entire election machinery is run from Nabanna, the state secretariat. Whether there will be campaign and voting has become uncertain as the primary process of nomination is being resisted. Left Front will organise mass deputation to State Election Office to protest this large scale attack on democracy.

Misra, however, called upon Left activists and supporters to resist the terror and move collectively to submit nomination.

Left Front chairman Biman Basu said that the panchayat elections are destined to be farce in such an atmosphere. TMC is trying to build a ‘new kind of democracy’ without the existence of opposition.

A Left Front delegation submitted deputation to the governor. They urged him to intervene to protect constitutional rights of the people of the state.

http://peoplesdemocracy.in/2018/0408_pd/panchayat-elections-west-bengal-slaughter-democracy-mamata-regime

Attacks on Panchayat Elections in West Bengal (Upto April 5, 2018)

The ruling TMC in West Bengal has resorted to full-fledged assault on democracy and rule of law as Panchayat elections have started to become a farce. From the declaration of schedule to murderous attacks on opposition candidates in the nomination process, this year’s Panchayat elections have brought out the authoritarian character of TMC most crudely.

The Chief Minister herself declared repeatedly that she wanted ‘opposition-free Panchayats’. Her party leaders, including MP-s called upon party activists to ensure that no opposition member gets elected. The monstrous process has started.

Though the three tier Panchayat is a constitutional arrangement, every democratic norm is being violated in West Bengal. To begin with, Panchayat Elections were declared suddenly. In the All Party meeting, held just two days before the announcement, the State Election Commissioner refused to discuss probable dates and confessed that he was ‘totally dependent’ on the state administration. On 31^st March, State Election Commission declared the schedule. The three phase elections will be held on 1^st, 3^rd, 5^th May. Nomination process has started from 2^nd April. It will continue up to 9^th April. The nomination process started with notification, virtually providing no time to opposition parties to prepare. The total number of seats in panchayat is 58,692. Only seven days are available for filing of nomination in such huge number of seats.

Though three-phase elections have been declared, surprisingly the last date of nomination filing is same for all phases. The schedule also clashed with ongoing Higher Secondary examinations in the state. This will hinder campaign as microphones would not be used during this period.  

The schedule also brought out nefarious design of the ruling party. While 12 districts will go to polls on the first day, only two- Birbhum and Murshidabad- will be in the second. These two districts have been selected to intensify terror.

As soon as the process of collecting and filing of nomination papers started on 2^nd April, TMC armed gangs began to cordon Block Development Offices (BDO), Sub Divisional Offices (SDO), and even District Magistrate’s offices in some districts. The plan is simple: the ruling party will not allow opposition to collect and submit nomination papers. This is a new method, applied partially in 2013 in Birbhum and some other districts. This year it has become the dominant feature throughout the state in first stage of terror. The Right to contest in an election, a constitutional right, has become endangered in what may be termed as ‘pre-election rigging’.

In Birbhum, TMC miscreants gathered in numbers in Siuri, Rampurhat, Labhpur, Nanur, Ilambazar, Bolpur, Nalhati 2, Murarai , Dubrajpur, Mohhamedbazar. They cordoned the offices and chased away CPI(M), Left Front and other opposition activists who came to either collect or submit nominations. In Rampurhat , CPI(M) member of Budhigram Panchayat Panai Sheikh was brutally attacked. Sheikh is a disabled in his left hand from birth. Despite that he was mercilessly beaten and was later admitted in hospital. CPI(M) panchayat member Rana Let was mercilessly beaten in Rampurhat. CPI(M) candidate Mitali Das was manhandled, her voter card and other documents snatched, her husband beaten in Nalhati. TMC district President and infamous muscleman Anubrata Mondal has boasted in front of media,  “Whenever opposition supporters will try to submit nomination they will see development stands in front of them”. It was clear that he meant TMC armed gangs as ‘development’. On second and third day, TMC cadres openly exhibited swords, knives in front of block offices. In Mayureswar-1 they virtually blocked the entrance and CPI(M) candidate Sajjad Mirza was attacked.

In Rampurhat CPI(ML) candidate and secretary of Rampurhat Bar Association Prodyot Mukherjee was severely beaten. In Siuri, BJP leader Kalosona Mondal was stabbed in the vicinity of DM office. Presences of media persons are banned in Birbhum block offices by the fatwa of TMC.

On 5^th April, hundreds of people gathered in Nalhati in Birbhum, determined to overcome attacks and file nominations. CPI(M) central committee member Ramchandra Dome, state committee member Goutam Ghosh were among those who led the march towards block office. TMC armed gangs threw bombs and fired to disperse the rally. Ramchandra Dome , Goutam Ghosh were seriously injured. CPI(M) activist Hiru Late was critically injured. Despite that, Left Front candidates entered block office and submitted nominations.

On 2nd April, CPI(M) candidates from villages in Borjora in Bankura district came to file their nomination in Block office. TMC gangs attacked them injuring more than 30 persons including women. CPI(M) district committee member Sujoy Chowdhury, Borjora Panchayet Samiti member Sharif Mondal, and others were injured. Attacks continued in different parts of Bankura. In Bankura town itself, no Left Front candidates were allowed to enter in BDO office. In Hirbandh, CPI(M) activists were brutally beaten when they entered in BDO office. Many of them were injured. However, local people retaliated and chased away TMC miscreants. In Ranibandh, TMC miscreants attacked CPI(M) activists. Later in a clash, a BJP candidate, Ajit Murmu was killed. On 4^th April,. TMC activists and police jointly attacked CPI(M) candidates in Sonamukhi. Party MLA Ajit Roy was injured. TMC gangs blocked roads in Indpur, Gangajalghati.

In East Midnapore, Left Front candidates were attacked in Khejuri, Panskura, Sutahata. In Sutahata, CPI(M) MLA Tapashi Mondal was attacked as she led Left Front candidates to block office. Nur Alam, Sabhapati of Sutahata Panchayat Samiti was severely beaten.

In Burdwan East , block offices in Galsi, Ketugram2, Katwa, Aushgram2, Raina1, Khandaghosh have been surrounded. CPI(M) leaders and candidates were attacked.

In Burdwan West , TMc gangs have cordoned block offices in Jamuria, Andal, Salanpur. In Jamuria, submission of nomination was not allowed. CPI(M) candidates faced attack in Salanpur, Pandeveswar.

In South 24 Parganas, TMC organized attack in Budge Budge-1, Budge Budge-2, Falta, Magrahat-2, Diamond Harbour-2 and prevented Left Front candidates from collecting nomination forms.

In North 24 Parganas, TMC activists attacked CPI(M) office in Murarishah, Hasnabad and attacked Party activists. TMC gangs cordoned a market area to attack CPI(M) activists, creating large scale panick among people. CPI(M) DCM Shakti Mukherjee was injured among others. In Minakha TMC activists took position within BDO office and severely beat up CPI(M) candidates.TMC has cordoned off Sandeshkhali-1 block office.

In Coochbehar, Left Front candidates were prevented from submission of nomination forms. They were attacked and journalists were mercilessly beaten up by TMC activists.

In Raiganj in North Dinajpur, TMC gangs started firing and charged bombs to disperse opposition candidates on 4^thApril. They terrorized entire town and searched for Left Front and opposition activists. TMC armed gangs blocked nomination process in Kaliyaganj, Itahar.

In Murshidabad district, block offices in Raghunathganj, Kandi, Baroan, salar, Raninahar, Jalangi, Nabagram, Murshidanad-Jiaganj have been captured by TMC miscreants. CPI(M) offices in Raninagar and Sherpur was vandalized.

In Hooghly, TMC armed gangs have taken control of block offices in Haripal, Jangipara, Goghat, Balagarh, Purshura, Dhaniakhali.

In Nadia, CPI(M) candidates were chased away from Hanskhali, Chapra, Ranaghat-2, Santipur.  

In West Medinipur, two women candidates of CPI(M) have been kidnapped in Ghatal. Women candidate and her proposer was attacked in Kharagpur. Opposition candidates were chased away from Mohanpur, Pingla, Medinipur Sadar blocks too. TMC bike-borne gangs are freely moving and creating terror.

In Howrah, Left candidates were severely beaten up and all documents snatched in Jagat Ballavpur. Many were injured and admitted to hospital. 

CPI(ML) Liberation candidates were attacked in Bankura, Dhanikhali in Hooghly. In some areas, SUCI(C) candidates were also obstructed and attacked.

In almost all areas, the police have acted as accomplices to the TMC. In some districts, police have actively participated in chasing away opposition activists.

However, in such an atmosphere of state-sponsored terror Left Front activists are trying their level best to submit nominations, braving attacks and intimidations.

As on 5^th April, Nomination Report is following:

Zilla Parishad: Total Seats: 825/ TMC 61/ Left Front 91/ BJP 87/ Congress 40

Panchayat Samiti: Total Seats: 9217/ TMC 2063/ Left Front 753/ BJP 1511/Congress 158

Gram Panchayat: Total Seats 48650/ TMC 13319/ Left Front 4539/ BJP 9454/ Congress 1221

Non-existent State Election Commission

The State Election Commission has abjectly surrendered and has remained totally insensitive to atrocities committed. Left Front delegation has met State Election Commissioner regularly but he expressed his inability to address any of the grievances. Left Front delegation has demanded security for nomination process, which is practically absent in districts. Apart from direct attack, system of providing provisional caste certificate has been cancelled. The very short time span available for nomination has made this process more difficult. State Election Commission has also failed to explain the rationale behind schedule. While only seven days are available for submission of nomination, same number of days have allowed for withdrawal. It has been apprehended that TMC would pressurize and force opposition candidates to withdraw.

The first phase of voting will take place on May Day. Central trade unions, Left parties and many other organizations have forcefully objected to this denigration of International Working Peoples’ Day and demanded a change in schedule. Trade Unions organized a rally in front of State Election Commission office.

To recollect, In Mamata Banerjee’s reign, one State Election Commissioner had to move to courts seeking protection of her duties under tremendous threat from the state government and another was forced to resign during election process threatened by state ministers. On 5^th April, as many as seven state ministers went to State Election Commission office to further pressurize them. On 6^th April 17 parties including Left Front will sit in a dharna in front of SEC office.

Communist Party of India (Marxist)
Communist Party of India
Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist)-Liberation
All India Forward Bloc
Socialist Unity Centre of India (Communist)

http://cpim.org/pressbriefs/west-bengal-panchayat-elections

Sitaram Yechury on West Bengal Panchayet Elections

The attacks going on in West Bengal are not just on the Left Front but on the entire opposition and strikes at the very roots of democracy. We call upon all those who cherish democracy and democratic values to resist these attacks and assert their rights guaranteed under the Constitution" Demand Left Party Leaders in a press conference held in Central Committee office of the CPI(M).

See video of Press Briefing:

Sitaram Yechury on West Bengal Panchayet Elections

West Bengal Panchayat Elections: Stop Attacks, Restore Democracy & Democratic Rights

West Bengal Panchayat Elections:

Stop Attacks, Restore Democracy & Democratic Rights

·        Submission of nominations by Left Front and opposition candidates obstructed.

·        Block and SDO offices are cordoned off by TMC armed gangs.

·        Attacks on opposition activists and candidates in all districts.

·        More than 200 people have been injured.

·        State Election Commission is virtually defunct.

·        Police is complicit in attacks on Left, not enforcing standing law and order rules.

 There is an unprecedented attack on the basic democratic right to file nominations for the panchayat elections in West Bengal.

 The ruling Trinamul Congress has resorted to a full-fledged assault on democracy and the rule of law by capturing the block development offices (BDOs), sub-divisional offices (SDOs) and even District Magistrate offices in some districts to obstruct and drive away opposition candidates from filing nominations for the three-tier panchayat elections.

This is a form of pre-election rigging which makes the election a farce.

 Since 2^nd April when filing of nominations began for all three phases of polling, the state has witnessed the shameful spectacle of TMC goons stationed at the administrative offices physically assaulting and chasing away candidates of the opposition and of the Left parties in particular.

 Hundreds of Left and opposition candidates have been injured, their identity cards and other papers snatched away. In many places, offices of the parties have been raided by TMC men to snatch away papers and to threaten people.

 On April 5^th, Ramachandra Dome, former MP and a member of the Central Committee who was leading a group of candidates to file nominations at Nalhati in Birbhum district was brutally attacked and suffered a head injury.

 In all these attacks, the police have refused to intervene, or, are in connivance with the TMC men.

 The time given for filing of nominations for all three phases is only between 2^nd and 9^th April. This is too short. At the same time, the time for withdrawals is also one week, unusually long. It is apprehended that this time will be used to intimidate opposition candidates to withdraw.

 If the panchayat elections are not to be a farcical exercise, it is imperative that:

(i)          All those who wish to file their nominations are allowed to do so without any fear and intimidation;

(ii)         For this, the time for filing nominations should be extended wherever required;

(iii)       Where candidates were prevented from filing nominations, alternative arrangements should be made for them to register their candidature in secure conditions.

(iv)       Firm action should be taken against all those indulging in hooliganism, intimidation and encirclement of administrative offices.

The attacks going on in West Bengal are not just on the Left Front but on the entire opposition and strikes at the very roots of democracy.

We call upon all those who cherish democracy and democratic values to resist these attacks and assert their rights guaranteed under the Constitution.

Sitaram Yechury	D Raja	Kavita Krishnan
CPI(M)	CPI	CPI(UML)-Liberation
Pran Nath		Dharmendra Kumar
SUCI(C)		AIFB

Date: Friday, April 6, 2018

http://cpim.org/pressbriefs/west-bengal-panchayat-elections

Farce Elections Produced Farce Results in West Bengal

Left Front Wins Siliguri, other Five Municiplaities

General Strike on 30th.

The farce, enacted in the name of elections in urban civic bodies in West Bengal, has been proved by the results it had actually produced.

Kolkata witnessed unprecedented reign of violence and terror on the polling day. From the early morning, news channels began to telecast the booth capturing and large scale attacks which culminated in hundreads of booths captured when the polling ended. The ruling party brought in criminals from other districts also. TMC specifically targeted areas where Left Front had won in 2010 elections or where they had a lead in Loksabha elections. In northern and north-east Kolkata, majority of booths suffered TMC attacks and by noon there were practically no genuine voters near the booths. The result showed that TMC won these wards with sky-rocketing margins, even in traditional Left stronghols of Beleghata and Maniktola.  In many wards, the votes of opposition parties have come down below 15 per cent!  In central areas of the city, TMC gangs forced the slum dwellers and minority people to stay inside their homes and with the help of police run over the booths. In this area, TMC has won almost all wards. Jadavpur, with a long legacy of left movement, was another area of their target. There were fierce attacks and strong resistance in the entire area. Countless numbers of people were injured in the attacks. TMC won 11 wards out of 14 in this area. TMC ‘won’ in 114 wards out of 144, while LF won in 15, BJP in 7, Congress in 6.

It is quite another phenomena that TMC suffered humiliating defeat in the ward where Mamata Banerjee is herself a resident.

In North 24 Parganas, the number of municipalities was 23. TMC won all of them. The score sheet of wards is testimony of the intensity of rigging. In Kanchrapara TMC won 22, Left Front (LF) 0; In Halisahar TMC won 21, LF 0, In Naihati TMC 31, LF 0, in Bhatpara TMC 33, LF1, in North Barackpore TMC 21, LF 1 , In Garulia TMC 17, LF 1, in Dum Dum TMC 21, LF 1, in Baranagar TMC32, LF 2, in New Barackpore TMC won 17, LF 1. Courageous resistance brought 8 wards for LF in North Dum Dum , 5 in Kamarhati. In the entire stretch from Baranagar to Kanchrapara, TMC armed gangs attacked countless booths, LF agents were chased away, unhindered use of guns and bombs were displayed. Except in pockets where people could steadfastly resist, EVM machines were in possession of ruling party’s hooligans. This devastating storm trooping was extended upto Kalyani in Nadia district where TMC did not allow any opposition to gain any seats. They won 21-0 there. Another bordering area, Haringhata the result was 19-0 in favour of TMC. In Gayeshpur, the next adjoining municipality LF candidates were forced to withdraw their nominations, candidates were kidnapped and large scale attack was organized before the elections. TMC won all 18 seats there.

Hooghly was another district where ruling party went for a rampage. In Arambagh and Tarakeswar, they forced opposition candidates to withdraw. As a result in Arambagh TMC won 19-0, in Tarakeswar 15-0. In industrial belt of Hooghly, there were continuous attacks during electioneering. And, on the day of elections bike-brone armed gangs roamed freely to capture booths one after another. The results manifested the widespread rigging. In Banshberia, TMC won 17, LF 2; in Rishra TMC won 19, LF 2, in Champdani TMC won 13, LF 1. In some of these municipalities, independent candidates won sporadically. There were strong resistance and peoples’ mobilization in Dankuni and Bhadreswar. In Dankuni, TMC could win 11 out of 21, and in Bhadreswar they failed to win majority of wards.

The people of Siliguri Corporation, the largest town after Kolkata, gave a strong rebuff to TMC and particularly to Chief Minister. Mamata Banerjee was said to have directed her party leaders to ‘win at any cost’. But, waves of rallies in the town warned the ruling party of any misadventure and the elections were mostly peaceful. Left Front won 23 wards out of total 47 and an independent extended his support to LF, thus paving the way for board formation. TMC got 17 seats, while Congress won in 4 and BJP in 2 wards. Urban Development minister in the Left Front government Ashok Bhattacharya contested polls and handsomely won. This is an important win for LF as they snatched this thriving centre of northern Bengal after five years of chaos and mismanagement.

In fact, in northern Bengal, wherever the polling was relatively free, LF has earned important gains. In Dinhata in Coochbehar district, LF retained with 13-3 majority. In Coochbehar town, LF was defeated 8-10. LF retained Jangipur and Jiaganj-Azimganj in Murshidabad district. LF won Back Dainhat in Burdwan district.

Left Front has called for a general strike and hartal on 30th April, protesting the massive rigging in municipal elections in the state. The 12-hour strike call came after whole sale booth capturing, violent attack on voters and opposition activists took place with help from police and state administration. Left Front has termed this election as a ‘farce’. For the first time in four years of TMC rule in West Bengal, Left Front has called for a total strike in the state.

Left Front Chairman Biman Basu and CPI(M) state secretary Suryakanta Misra have called upon all democratic-minded people to register their protest against this all out assault on democracy. SUCI(C), CPI(ML-Liberation) and other left parties have also extended support to the strike call.

Simultaneously, central trade unions have called for a general strike too on 30th April. On that day all India strike of the transport workers is scheduled. Along with that, almost all central trade unions in Bengal have called for a general strike against the attack on democratic rights of the workers and people. Apart from CITU, AITUC, TUCC, UTUC, the others like INTUC, HMS have issued joint call for the general strike. Trade unions have given the call for a 24 hour strike.

Mass organizations like AIKS, AIDWA, DYFI, SFI and others have joined in.

http://cpim.org/states/farce-elections-produced-farce-results-west-bengal

Blatant Attack on Democracy in West Bengal

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement:

The elections to 91 municipalities including two corporations in West Bengal held on April 25, 2015 constitute a total mockery of democracy. In these and the election to the Kolkata Municipal Corporation a week earlier, there was a high degree of people’s enthusiasm and a large number of women turned out to cast their vote. However, these innocent people were met with political workers and armed hooligans representing the ruling party in the state, the Trinamool Congress, who denied them the right to a free and fair election. Polling booths were captured, opposition parties agents driven out and voting manipulated. A small contingent of central forces sent on the eve of the election were not deployed by the state government and instead sent for sightseeing. This is a blot on Indian democracy.

In various parts of the state there was widespread people’s resistance against such display of muscle power and manipulation of the democratic process. Many were injured and some are critical and are admitted to various hospitals in the state.

The CPI(M) calls upon the people of West Bengal who have a tradition of fighting against such authoritarian terror and who established a record of restoring democracy through people’s struggles to resist such attacks on democracy by the Trinamool Congress in the state.

A large number of intellectuals and people who had served in high constitutional positions in the country in the past have come together to form a Save Democracy Forum. Leading lights of the movement were also denied their legal right to vote.

The Election Commission of India must review these developments, though these fall under the purview of the State Election Commission and the state government. This is necessary to learn lessons and prepare for adequate arrangements when the state assembly elections are held in 2016.

Date: Sunday, April 26, 2015

West Bengal Verdict "Distorted": Karat

Friday, May 16, 2014

http://cpim.org/content/west-bengal-verdict-distorted

CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat termed the results of the Lok Sabha elections from West Bengal as “distorted”. Addressing the press in New Delhi today, he said that there was widespread rigging and violence during the last three phases of the elections in the state and the entire democratic process was vitiated. “The results do not reflect the strength and support of the people for the Left Front in West Bengal”.

Prakash Karat said that in 32 out of 42 constituencies in the state, there was widespread rigging and violence and these have been widely reported in the Bengali media. But the Election Commission has failed in its duty of ensuring a free and fair poll. “The Left, the Congress and the BJP together had demanded repoll in 3200 booths where rigging was done, but the EC had ordered repoll only in 16 booths. There is something wrong with the election machinery.” He said that during the 2004 and 2009 Lok Sabha elections the Party had raised the issue about the role of observers who are sent to the constituencies. Prakash Karat pointed out that “there is something defective as there are no clear guidelines about how these observers should act”.

Answering a question about the fall in percentage of votes polled by the Party in Bengal, Prakash said that “the percentage of votes does not reflect the correct picture as there was widespread rigging.” He termed the drop of over 11 per cent vote since the last assembly elections as “unacceptable”. This does not reflect the true situation, he said.

Our immediate concern will be taking our Party and the movement ahead in West Bengal, irrespective of the election results, he added.

About the outcome of the elections at the national level, Prakash said though the Party had worked for the rejection of the Congress, it is not happy with the outcome, as the main benefit of the anti-Congress mood has gone to the BJP. 

Ensure People's Verdict is Not Manipulated

Thursday, May 15, 2014

The CPI(M) has demanded that the Election Commission of India take “necessary measures and make proper preparations to ensure that the democratic verdict of the people is not manipulated further at the stage of the counting of votes” in West Bengal. In a letter addressed to the Commission by Polit Bureau Member, Sitaram Yechury, the Party has suggested among other things provision of adequate security for the counting agents of all parties.  The Party has expressed the apprehension that the widespread violence and intimidation witnessed during the last phase of polling in West Bengal will find reflection during the counting process also.

The full text of the letter is given below:

May 15, 2014

The Chief Election Commissioner

Election Commission of India

Nirvachan Sadan

New Delhi

Dear Sir,

I have been seeking an appointment with the Election Commission since the afternoon of May 14 to convey our serious apprehensions regarding the possible disruption and manipulation of the counting process in the state of West Bengal. This appointment however has not materialized so far. Hence this letter urging the Election Commission to take the necessary measures and make proper preparations to ensure that the democratic verdict of the people is not manipulated further at the stage of the counting of votes.

There is a widespread apprehension that violence and intimidation that was widely seen during the last phase of polling in West Bengal will find a reflection during the counting process as well.  The reasons for this apprehension are two-fold.  First, massive manipulation of the counting process was done during the recently concluded local body elections in the state.  Though the counting for the Lok Sabha elections will be done under the supervision of the Election Commission, there is a widespread belief that similar tactics, as seen during the local body elections, will be replicated.  Secondly, the widespread violence, terror and intimidation during the polling process shows that the ruling party in the state, Trinamool Congress, is desperate to manipulate the people’s mandate in all possible ways.

In view of such apprehensions, we are suggesting that the EC should display utmost vigilance, provide adequate security for the counting agents of all parties and other such measures.  These are outlined in the enclosed letters from the Chairman of the Left Front Committee of West Bengal, which have already been sent to you directly. The same concerns have been raised with the CEO, West Bengal and  the Special Observer.

May I request you to consider these suggestions with the seriousness that the situation warrants in the state of West Bengal. To ensure that the counting of votes proceeds smoothly, these suggestions must be acted upon urgently and firmly.

From many counting centres in the state, such apprehensions are pouring in seeking proper security arrangements during the counting process.  Similarly, instances of how efforts are being made to prepare from manipulating the counting process are also pouring in from many centres. There are reports that EVMs are not properly protected and in some instances, no elections official has been assigned duty to remain at the centre during the night.  There are also reports that the identity cards of counting agents from the opposition parties have been forcibly acquired by the ruling party, so that they can prevent the counting agents of opposition parties from being present and hence facilitate the manipulation of the counting.  These are based on verified reports. Therefore, we are urging the EC not to dismiss such apprehensions as mere allegations.

I am enclosing, as a sample of such concerns based on concrete evidence,  two letters. One letter is from the Secretary of the Hooghly District Committee of the CPI(M) and another from the Chairman, Left Front Committee, West Bengal, so that you are familiarized with the ground realities in the state.

I am also enclosing the text of an interview that appeared on the front page of the largest circulated Bengali newspaper – one of the largest circulated dailies in the country – the Ananda Bazar Patrika on May 14. The interview is with the Special Observer appointed by the Election Commission to oversee the election process in the state. Media reports inform that this observer, Shri Sudhir Kumar Rakesh has returned to his original duties in his parent state the moment polling ended on May 12. Hence it is possible that no such oversight by an observer appointed by the Election Commission would be there on the counting day. The interview is in Bengali with the gist in English appended at the end. Since I am aware that one of the honourable Election Commissioners is familiar with Bengali language you can have the benefit of the original transcript without being subjected to possible distortions in a free translation. This interview speaks for itself on the degree of malpractices that have occurred during the polling process in the state of West Bengal.

May I hope that you will take these suggestions seriously and do the needful.

With regards,

Yours sincerely 

(Sitaram Yechury)   

Member, Polit Bureau

Encl:

1. Three letters written by the Chairman, Left Front Committee, West Bengal

2. A letter from the Secretary of the CPI (M) Hooghly District Committee

3. The transcript of the interview that appeared in the Ananda Bazar Patrika of observer Shri Sudhir Kumar Rakesh on May 14, 2014

West Bengal Left Front Submits Memo to Election Commission

A delegation of the Left Front Committee, West Bengal led by chairman, Biman Basu and accompanied by the CPI(M) leaders in parliament, Sitaram Yechury and Basudev Acharia met the Election Commission of India on December 19, 2013 and submitted the following memorandum.

WE are approaching you to express our grave apprehensions at the situation in the state of West Bengal, which we consider is fast deteriorating, prohibiting the  holding of any free and fair elections. The constitutional mandate to ensure that the Indian electorate exercises its democratic right in a free and fair manner rests with the Election Commission. We are approaching you with a request that you urgently intervene to ensure that the West Bengal electorate is permitted to exercise its democratic choice in a free and fair manner.

We are constrained to bring to your notice the following factors that create such widespread apprehension amongst the people of West Bengal.

ATTACKS AND INTIMIDATION

There are widespread reports that the leaders and the workers of the ruling party in the state – the All India Trinamool Congress – are engaged in large scale illegal and undemocratic activities aimed at intimidating people from exercising their democratic right. All norms so far considered sacrosanct during election period have been violated during the elections to the panchayats and municipal corporations. Officials of the State Election Commission (SEC), election observers, presiding officers, returning officers, etc., have also been at the butt of such attacks. It may be kindly recalled that SEC had to approach High Court and finally Supreme Court to get the election conducted with adequate security arrangements even though orders of the court were not implemented by the state government in their letter and spirit. 

During the course of the election campaign to the local bodies, instead of SEC, conducted by the state administration, the ruling party in the state in collaboration with sections of the personnel of the general and police administration, has mounted a targeted attack against the workers and activists of opposition parties, particularly the CPI(M) and Left Front workers. Threats and intimidation were widely used to prevent the filing of the nomination, family members of the candidates who managed to file their nominations were kidnapped to force the withdrawal of nominations. There is a large scale deployment of armed motorcycle squads defying SEC and High Court order, threatening and intimidating opposition political workers all across the state. The areas around the polling stations are 'captured' and on the polling day, a large section of the polling personnel were forced to surrender. There are reports of large scale bogus casting of votes as no EVMs were deployed in these elections. The scale of rigging was so widespread that till date, i.e., many months of the polling, the SEC is yet to publish the final figure of votes secured by each candidate in some constituencies. The mockery of democracy has become so brazen that in some instances fresh polls were ordered even after the counting concluded in order to ensure the victory of the ruling party candidates.   (Annexure 1)

To substantiate these points, we are enclosing media reports along with photographs and CD for your perusal. (Annexure 8-67)

Post-elections, the victorious opposition candidates, in particular those belonging to the Left Front, have been murderously threatened to either resign or join the ruling party in order to control the local bodies, where the ruling party did not manage to secure a majority. In the meantime, five elected panchayat members including three office-bearers were killed by the AITC goons.  Further, in Haldia, Halisahar and Arambagh municipalities, covering districts of Purba Medinipur, North 24 Paraganas and Hooghly, the same tactics were adopted.  It is to be noted that the Congress-run municipalities were also captured by the  AITC in the same manner.

In fact the Chief Judicial Magistrate of Alipur Court was threatened and attacked by the ruling party lawyers. (Annexure 2)

Recently on December 8, 2013 a very senior leader of the Left Front, Naren Dey, former minister and leader of the All India Forward Bloc, aged 78 years was mercilessly attacked and seriously injured. He was not even given proper treatment and discharged from the state run hospital and had to be admitted in a private hospital in Kolkata, which issued a medical bulletin, detailing the serious nature of his injuries. (Annexure 3)

There are instances where even the judiciary has not been spared of such attacks. (Annexure 4)

CASUALTIES

Since the AITC has assumed the reins of the state government in May 2011 and upto November 2013, 142 leaders including two ex-MLAs and activists of the Left Front have been murdered in such attacks. Those grievously injured and hospitalised number 7,433. The incidents of rape and molestation, number 1,865. 46,937 people have been evicted from their normal dwellings. 5,547 houses of Left Front supporters were ransacked, looted and burnt. 2,170 Left Front party and mass organisation’s offices were either destroyed or captured. 302 educational institutions have been attacked and principals, teachers and senior staff were not spared of injuries. More than 85 student’s union offices were captured. 4,237 Left Front activists have been registered under false or fabricated cases. Of these 1,360 are still in judicial custody and the rest are not allowed to visit their own residences, some of them who are bailed out even prohibited to enter their home districts. The total number of those involved in false court cases are 54,938. Extortion of more than Rs 28 crores is so far reported from over 9,529 people. In the rural areas, nearly 3,500 cultivators have not been allowed to cultivate their own land in about 9,223 acres. Under the land reform legislation of the Left Front government, bargadars and patta holders were legally registered. Over 27,000 of them, covering an area of over 9,213 acres have today been forcefully evicted.

Other non-Left opposition parties even the dissidents within the ruling party were not spared from these attacks.  One sitting Congress MLA was brutally attacked.  In one case of a murder of one AITC leader alleged to be abated by local AITC MLA, the Kolkata High Court ordered a CBI enquiry.

Such are the consequences of the atmosphere of terror that has been created by the ruling party in the state of West Bengal.

In Annexure 5 we are submitting a marked map of terrorised and partly terrorised assembly constituencies in the state. We are also submitting the names of the ACs from where the Left Front workers, including common people have been forcibly evicted from their normal residences.

Media persons were attacked brutally on two occasions while they were covering acts of wanton violence.  Two councillors  of Kolkata Municipal Corporation belonging to AITC were arrested - one in the murder of a police personnel and another in the alleged murder of one AITC leader.

We are requesting the ECI to intervene to ensure that normalcy is restored in these areas, so that the electorate can discharge their democratic rights in a free and fair manner during the forthcoming 2014 general election in the country. Knowledgeable sources presume that another all-out attack may occur before ensuing Lok Sabha election as it was done on April 10, 2013 on some fictitious plea.

IMPROPER ATTITUDE OF CEO, WEST BENGAL

We are bound to draw your attention to the fact that the state CEO office appears to be functioning under intimidation by the state government and hence unable to discharge its proper role as an independent body. One particular instance will illustrate this general tendency. On August 29, 2013, we had represented the CEO, regarding the extension of the date for the period of claims and objections in 12 municipalities where elections were announced. Upon hearing no response, we sought the intervention of the ECI. Its only upon the issuance of the ECI notification number 23/WB/2013, dated September 18, 2013, wherein you had kindly notified the extension upto September 30, 2013 was such a request accepted. The said ECI notification mentions a letter by the CEO, West Bengal, dated September 16, 2013. Clearly therefore, while the Left Front had petitioned on August 29, the West Bengal CEO responded only after the intervention of the ECI on September 16.

There are several instances of such partisan attitude. For instance, it is only after the ECI notification that the SRER was extended last year to take into account the disruption due to festival holidays.

In Annexure 6, we furnish your letter of April 23, 2013, concerning complaints of errors in the ER with reference to three specific ACs. The CEO did not take any further action in this matter.

Further, there are instances of the state ruling party leaders being present at the video conferences being conducted by the CEO with DM and district electoral officers, which is a clear illegality. One such incident took place on October 29, 2013, where the sabhadhipati of the Bankura zilla parishad was so present.

PAID NEWS

There are widespread instances of paid news by the ruling party in both the electronic and print media. The projection of the chief minister and the ruling party candidates is brazen as evidenced in the by-election to 159 Bhabanipur AC. On September 12, 2011, the electronic media, “Channel 10”, organised one such programme conducted by Kunal Ghosh, who was rewarded subsequently to become a member of the Rajya Sabha representing the AITC. He is currently arrested and is in police custody as a prime accused in the massive Saradha Chit Fund scam.

On several occasions, the attention of the CEO, West Bengal was drawn to such instances. Instead of taking any action, they simply informed us that they had forwarded our complaints to the ECI. Unfortunately, no action had been taken till date. (Annexure 7)

We are constrained to draw your attention to all these facts, which are but a tip of an iceberg.  We fully appreciate and completely support the efforts being made by the ECI through its campaign seeking 'greater participation for a stronger democracy'. We are delighted to note that this campaign had a positive impact as seen in the unprecedented turnout in the recent elections to the five state assemblies in the country.

If such an effort has to succeed in the state of West Bengal, then your urgent intervention is necessary to ensure that the above mentioned distortions and the sorry state of affairs is immediately corrected and an atmosphere conducive for a free and fair poll is created by instilling the required confidence in the West Bengal electorate that they can exercise their elementary democratic rights without the fear of terror and intimidation.

In the interests of upholding and safeguarding democracy in our country and in the interests of strengthening the vibrancy of our democratic society, we strongly urge you to urgently intervene and discharge your constitutional mandate appropriately to ensure the success of your own slogan, 'greater participation for a stronger democracy'.

(Annexures are not published - Ed)