Incidents of violence continued on the second day of nomination filing for West Bengal panchayat polls on Saturday, with the opposition BJP, Congress and CPI(M) alleging their candidates were prevented from submitting papers by the ruling TMC activists and goons. A Congress activist was shot dead on Friday, the first day of nomination filing, in Murshidabad district allegedly by TMC goons, a charge denied by the ruling party. Opposition BJP demanded immediate deployment of central forces to conduct the panchayat polls while the TMC asserted that the opposition is hunting for excuses fearing defeat. The opposition may demand deployment of peacekeeping force from the United Nations in panchayat polls if they want," Sen said. The 2018 rural poll process was marred by violence and alleged malpractices in several districts.

Source: The Telegraph June 11, 2023 00:43 UTC