Elections must be through ballots, not bullets, says West Bengal Governor on panchayat polls

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

West Bengal panchayat polls, Governor CV Ananda Bose on Saturday said that elections must be held «through ballots not bullets,» and said the day should be considered as the «most sacred» for democracy." Various incidents of violence have been reported from different districts in the state. Earlier in the day, while the Governor was on his way to cast his vote in the North 24-Parganas, Bose was stopped by a few CPI(M) candidates. The CPI(M) candidates shared their concerns with the Governor.

«I have been in the field right from the morning...People requested me and stopped my motorcade on the way. They told me about the murders happening around them, told me about the goons not allowing them to go to the polling booths...It should cause concern to all of us. This is the most sacred day for democracy...The election must be through ballots and not bullets,» the Governor said while talking to the reporters here.

Several incidents of ballot box and ballot paper looting, as well as destruction, were reported from numerous polling booths in the State. The Bharatiya Janata Party has accused the ruling Trinamool Congress of being involved in the incidents. «Bloodshed in West Bengal in Panchayat Election.

TMC candidate killed an independent Muslim candidate in North 24, Parganas dist. TMC knows only language of violence, murder and booth capturing. CM @MamataOfficial along with @CEOWestBengal is responsible for these murders,» BJP state chief Sukanta Majumdar said.

Meanwhile, West Bengal minister Shashi Panja asked why central forces «failed to protect the citizens». «TMC workers have been murdered, two have been shot at. Those who were asking for deployment, saying that these central forces are the guardians of peace — the