Clash breaks out between TMC & BJP workers in Bengal’s Midnapore
West Bengal has witnessed yet another instance of political violence, this time in the East Midnapore district, as clashes broke out between workers of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) during the voting of Co-Operative bank polls on Saturday morning. The incident has raised concerns over the deteriorating law and order situation in the state, which has been plagued by political violence for years.
According to reports, the clash took place outside a polling station in East Midnapore, where voters were casting their ballots to elect the management committee of a Co-Operative bank. The violence erupted when TMC and BJP workers, who had gathered at the polling station, got into a heated argument over alleged irregularities in the voting process.
Eyewitnesses claimed that the situation quickly spiralled out of control, with both sides engaging in a fierce battle. Stones were thrown, and police had to rush to the scene to manage the situation. A video of the incident, shared by PTI, shows police officers trying to control the crowd amid chaos and confusion.
The video, which has gone viral on social media, shows police personnel attempting to separate the warring factions, while some of the workers can be seen trying to break free and continue their altercation. The video also shows several people being detained by the police, who were trying to quell the violence.
The clash has sparked concerns over the safety of voters and the conduct of the elections. Political analysts have pointed out that the incident is a reflection of the deep-seated polarization in West Bengal, which has been fueled by the political rhetoric of the ruling TMC and the opposition BJP.
The BJP, which has been trying to make inroads in the state, has accused the TMC of trying to rig the elections and intimidate its workers. The party’s state president, Dilip Ghosh, has alleged that the TMC is using its muscle power to influence the outcome of the elections.
“The TMC is trying to rig the elections by intimidating our workers and supporters. We will not tolerate this and will take all necessary steps to protect our party workers,” Ghosh said in a statement.
The TMC, on the other hand, has denied any involvement in the violence and has accused the BJP of trying to create chaos and disrupt the elections. The party’s state president, Mamata Banerjee, has condemned the violence and has called for a thorough investigation into the incident.
“We condemn the violence and call for an impartial investigation into the incident. We will not tolerate any kind of violence or intimidation during the elections,” Banerjee said in a statement.
The clash has also raised concerns over the preparedness of the police to handle the situation. The police have been criticized for their handling of the incident, with many questioning why they were unable to prevent the violence from breaking out.
The clash in East Midnapore is the latest in a series of incidents of political violence in West Bengal. The state has been plagued by political violence for years, with both the TMC and the BJP accusing each other of being responsible for the violence.
The violence has not only affected the state’s law and order situation but has also had a negative impact on its economy. Many businesses have been affected by the violence, with some entrepreneurs choosing to relocate their operations to other states.
The clash in East Midnapore has also sparked concerns over the safety of voters. The incident has raised questions over the ability of the police to ensure the safety of voters during the elections.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has taken cognizance of the incident and has vowed to take stern action against those responsible. The ECI has also ordered an investigation into the incident and has sought a report from the district magistrate.
The clash in East Midnapore is a stark reminder of the deep-seated polarization in West Bengal, which has been fueled by the political rhetoric of the ruling TMC and the opposition BJP. The incident has also raised concerns over the safety of voters and the preparedness of the police to handle the situation.
As the state heads towards the elections, the clash in East Midnapore is a wake-up call for the political parties and the law enforcement agencies. It is essential that the parties take steps to prevent such incidents from happening in the future and that the police are better equipped to handle the situation.
