CPI-M makes fascist jibe at TMC: The CPI(M) today called the Trinamul Congress a fascist party and alleged that today’s rampant violence and vote loot during elections to 104 municipalities by the latter has once again reminded Bengal of the violence unleashed by TMC in the 2018 Panchayat elections. The party demanded an investigation into today’s poll violence by an investigation agency.

The CPIM leader Rabin Deb, addressing a Press conference, today alleged that several Left candidates were assaulted by TMC goons while many were reported missing. “The violence was such that even media personnel got attacked. In several places like Kaanthi, the election got over even before 1 pm. This barbarism by TMC was enabled by state police and the state election commission who took no cognizance of these rampant attacks when we lodged complaints.”

“A total subversion of democracy was observed in the municipalities which included damage of electronic voting machines, attack on candidates, intimidating voters etc. Bengal witnessed how democracy is being throttled in TMC’s quest of capturing municipalities since these are local bodies that will be used by the Trinamul to carry out corruption and smuggling. Ironically, on 27 February, Gujarat riots had broken out, unleashing genocide.”

He added that in several places like Murshidabad and Hooghly, protests were seen by voters while in some places like Joynagar even guns were fired. “Vandalism inside booths was apparent. The SEC had reserved no dates for re-polling in earlier civic polls at the instructions of the state government but this time we have convinced the election body to reserve a date for repolling. We are still receiving reports from several districts about the ongoing violence. All evidence will be submitted with the SEC but we doubt whether it will deliver any justice.”

Mr Deb said that the party wants an investigative agency to probe today’s incidents and investigate how many voters were intimidated and were stopped from exercising their voting rights. “We are ready to cooperate and provide evidence to the agency but this dictatorship of TMC cannot be allowed to carry on.”