There is a saying in Bengali – “Kecho Khurte keute Ber kora” (meaning finding a snake unexpectedly while digging for worms). This seems pretty apt for the current situation in West Bengal as Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Governor Jagdeep Dhankar continue to be at loggerheads since the violence that had erupted all over the state post the declaration of results in the high voltage assembly elections.
Governor Dhankar had been highly critical of the West Bengal Government’s handling of the situation. Political observers said he visited the national capital complaining over state’s post poll law and order situation. His recent week long visit to North Bengal further flared up the ongoing tussle.
The governor’s meeting with BJP MP from Alipurduar John Barla (who recently raised his voice on statehood for the region) was condemned by Mamata Banerjee. She has written thrice to the Centre for his immediate removal. The Chief Minister has alleged the Governor’s involvement in the 1996 Jain Hawala Scam. A PIL is still pending in this case. The Governor has denied the allegations.
The Governor retaliated by talking about Mamata Banerjee’s reaction over the discussion on the governor’s state budget speech. The Governor criticised this reaction of the Chief Minister.
Dhankar further alleged that the State had fudged funds worth Rs. 1000 crore that was meant for development for the hill people . Owing to this, he demanded to hand over the accounts of Gorkhaland Territorial Administration to Controller General of Accounts for scrutiny of funds. He also expressed his concern on elections not being carried out in the hill region.
“Violence during elections was always prevalent even in historic period. Governor reports to the president, he has nothing to do with PM or Union Minister unless governance is displaced and state is put under presidential rule.” Says Saptarshi Bhattacharya – Senior Program Coordinator of The Hindu Center for Politics and Public Policy (Chennai)
On June 29, 2021, veteran journalist and anti-corruption activist – Vineet Narain (known for exposing the Jain Hawala 1996 Scandal) joined the discourse and alleged Dhankar’s involvement in the Hawala scam. Referring to the diary notes of Jain brothers where Rs. 5.25 Lakh in the name of Dhankar is written to be taken by then ex minister and Rs. 8 crore against Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan.
“BJP expected 200 seats but they got only 77, this disappointment turned into leveraging administrative power to harass WB state Government whose latest example is victimisation of Alapan Bandhopadhyay and delaying Assembly By poll elections which should be held within 6 months of CM’s oath ceremony. Also BJP led Suvendu Adhikari’s plea to SC for transferring CM’s election plea outside Bengal will aid to tamper the evidence. This kind of animosity will continue leaving no chance to further malign the Bengal government, targeting 2024 Loksabha election” says Political Analyst Arko Sarkar
Experts attributed the bitter clash between the BJP and TMC to the outcome of Bengal Assembly poll. Soon after Mamata Banerjee’s third term victory in Bengal was announced on 2nd May 2021, elected representatives of BJP who had defected from TMC before the polls began seeking re-entry into TMC. From heavy weights like Mukul Roy, Subhrangshu Roy and Sonali Guha, all made a beeline to re-enter TMC.
Post poll violence was a follow up of the clash of titans that was witnessed much before the elections. The theatrics of the political drama ranged from TMC’s “Khela Hobe” slogan to Mamata Banerjee’s campaigning for assembly election on wheel chair with an injured leg. She remained inside the polling booth for two hours alleging that BJP workers did not allow voting to take place. She slammed the Election Commission for “inaction” despite several complaints. During the fourth phase of Bengal elections on April 10, 2021, CoochBehar witnessed bloodbath. Four people died in CISF firing at poll booth No. 126 near Mathabhanga Police station.
Another first time voter was shot dead by two bike borne miscreants at Pathantuli in Sitalkuchi poll booth No. 285. Thereafter sporadic events made headlines especiallyduring the time between the fifth to the eighth phase.
Apart from the death of many political workers from the parties they were supporting, many shops, party offices and houses were vandalised. To make things worse, fake videos of violence were circulated over social media leading to more violence. One such video of a mob attacking a police van claimed that it was a TMC supporter attacking the Police with caption “#presidentRuleInbengal Policeman come to control the situation & then TMC goons attack on Police.
It turned out that the video was an old one.
Another fake post claimed that BJP party worker Mainak Moitra was killed in Saitalkuchi to which Abhro Banerjee (deemed to be Mainak Moitra) clarified that he is alive and not to believe the fake news.
On May 3, 2021 Kailash Vijayvargiya, National General Secretary of BJP, shared a video with a caption, “TMC Muslim Goons are beating BJP Women Workers in Kendamari village, Nandigram.” of two men beating three women. Soon the post was debunked. It turned out that the video was of a personal dispute and had nothing to do with politics.
Condemning such acts of violence Mamata Banerjee appealed for peace and asked the administration to look into the matter and take strict action irrespective of any political affiliations. She further announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh each for the families of all those who died in the violence.
“The violence is outcome of political concentration for power attempted by both the parties to establish supremacy. What centre is doing is intimidation not only for 2024 loksabha but also to make sure about 2026 state election to out TMC from power in Bengal” says Political expert Shikha Mukherjee
Despite the politics of friction continuing in West Bengal, the people of the state can only hope and pray that the state never has to face such violence during any elections in future.
Edited by: Raghujit S. Randhawa
2 Comments
“Despite the politics of friction continuing in West Bengal, the people of the state can only hope and pray that the state never has to face such violence during any elections in future.”
Very nice.
Congratulations
@Mousami @Diyasi
& Raghujit Randhawa Ji!
Thank You for the appreciation. It encourages to keep writing.