Panchayat vote: WB minister Partha Chatterjee downplays violence as small incidents, Babul Supriyo demands Prez rule in Bengal
Kolkata, May 14 (IBNS): Even as six deaths were reported in clashes during the ongoing panchayat vote in West Bengal, state education minister Partha Chatterjee has downplayed them as small incidents.
He was quoted as saying by ANI news agency that no major incidents have been reported.
Chatterjee said, "Administration is active in places where such clashes have taken place. Voting is being conducted peaceful."
He has, however, condemned the attack on journalists.
Meanwhile, taking a swipe at the Bengal government, Union Minister Babul Supriyo has called the Bengal government 'shameless'.
The agency has quoted the MoS as saying that he demands the President's rule in West Bengal.
"Not surprised by all the incidents that are happening since morning. Bengal govt is a shameless govt, you cannot expect them to follow any kind of constitutional behaviour. I demand President's Rule in WB: Babul Supriyo, Union Min on violence in various during," Babul said.
At least six people were killed in a widespread panchayat poll violence in West Bengal within five hours after the polling began on Monday morning, media reports said.
A CPI-M worker and his wife were killed after their house was set on fire in South 24 Parganas.
In North 24 Parganas, a CPI-M worker was killed during clashes while two others received injuries.
A Trinamool Congress (TMC) supporter and a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) worker died in South 24 Parganas and Murshidabad respectively.
Widespread violence, including bombing and and efforts of booth capturing by political goons, were reported across the state since Monday morning as the panchayat (rural bodies) poll is underway.
In Cooch Behar district, 20 people were injured in a low intensity blast at a polling booth.
Violence were reported from Howrah and already clash-hit Bhangar in South 24 Parganas as well. Earlier on Friday, a supporter of an independent candidate was shot dead in Bhangar area.
There were reports of violence from several other disctricts like Jalpaiguri, Malda, Nadia and West Midnapore where at Bikalchak of Keshpur a teenaged girl was hit by an arrow.
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