TMC Sweeps West Bengal Civic Polls

The results of the West Bengal municipal elections have been announced, with the Trinamool Congress (TMC) winning 103 out of 108 municipalities. According to West Bengal State Election Commission data, TMC has won 1,617 out of 2,171 seats. Opposition parties have raised the issue of widespread violence and rigging during the election. Even veteran Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Roy showed his discontent at the way the elections took place. He said: “The way the municipal vote has taken place in West Bengal will not give

a good image to our party. This will tarnish our image. People will stop believing us.”

TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee, expressing her gratitude, tweeted, “Heart-felt gratitude to Ma-Mati-Manush for according yet another overwhelming mandate to us. Congratulations to the winning candidates of All India Trinamool Congress in the Municipal Elections. Let victory enhance our responsibility and dedication. Let triumph impart humility. Let us together work for peace, prosperity and development of the state. Jai Bangla!”

Although the state reported poll violence, the polling turnout was over 78%. However, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has managed to win 63 seats, demanded a repoll. Also, Congress has won 56 seats and CPM has 42, as per the data provided by the West Bengal State Election Commission. In Tamluk municipality, out of 20 seats, TMC won 8, BJP and Congress 5 seats each, while the Left won only 1 seat, and others 1. However, in Jhalda municipality, both TMC and Congress won 5 seats each. In Raghunathpur municipality, TMC won 9 wards, while BJP and Congress won 2 seats each. The TMC has won in Kanthi municipality. Similarly, the CPM won in Taherpur constituency, Nadia district. The Hamro-party led by Ajoy Edward won the Darjeeling constituency.

BJP leader Anirban Ganguly has alleged that the state election commissioner, Saurabh Das, was acting as a “slave of Trinamool Congress.” Speaking of the violence during the Bengal civic polls, he said that the Supreme Court and the Calcutta High Court dismissed the plea for the deployment of the central security forces to conduct free and fair elections in the state. The party has also called for a 12-hour strike in the state for alleged rigging and violence in the civic polls.