Political Violence Grips Bengal Over Voter Form Submissions
West Bengal witnessed widespread political clashes on Monday morning. Workers from the Trinamool Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party clashed violently across several districts. The conflict centered on the submission of Form-7 documents. These forms are essential for removing absentee and deceased voters from electoral rolls.
Deadline Day Tensions and Extension Demand
Monday marked the final day for submitting Form-7 applications. By evening, election officials had received 56,867 forms. The Bengal BJP unit has formally requested a seven-day extension from the Election Commission. They sent a delegation to press this demand. Voters whose names appear on submitted forms may face SIR hearings.
Multiple Districts Report Violent Incidents
BJP's Bengal in-charge Amit Malviya highlighted several trouble spots. He specifically mentioned Kalna, Barasat, Bolpur, north Nadia, and Chinsurah. Malviya accused TMC cadres of openly blocking form submissions. He claimed they received assistance from local police forces. In a social media post, he alleged electoral registration officers refused to accept forms in Kalna and Purulia.
Murshidabad Clashes and Conflicting Claims
Violence erupted in Lalbagh, Murshidabad district. BJP MLA Gouri Shankar Ghosh made serious allegations. He claimed TMC members actively prevented BJP workers from submitting forms. He named Murshidabad assembly observer Shaoni Singha Roy and Lalbagh town president Sanju Sarkar. BJP members reported vehicle vandalism during the incident. They said TMC workers snatched forms, tore them up, and burned them. Police intervention eventually restored order.
TMC's Shaoni Singha Roy presented a different narrative. She stated BJP members arrived with 16,000 to 17,000 forms. She accused them of attempting to strip legitimate voters of their rights. In Nawda, Murshidabad, TMC MLA Byron Biswas staged a protest dharna. He protested the Form-7 controversy and alleged harassment of citizens under SIR procedures.
Additional Clashes Across Industrial Belt
Further violence was reported in Asansol outside the Sub-Divisional Officer's office. Both parties exchanged serious accusations. TMC members claimed BJP was trying to delete thousands of genuine voters. BJP members countered that TMC wanted to protect fake voters on the rolls.
In Durgapur, BJP workers blocked the national highway. They alleged TMC supporters attacked them while they tried to submit forms. Jamuria and Hooghly districts also reported clashes. Tensions flared outside the Bongaon SDO office as well. BJP alleged TMC workers tore forms from the hands of BJP MLA Ashok Kirtaniya.
The situation remains tense across Bengal. Both major political parties continue trading allegations. Police forces are maintaining vigilance to prevent further escalation of violence.
