With panchayat elections approaching, a string of violent incidents have tarnished West Bengal's political landscape once again. While poll violence is nothing new when it comes to West Bengal in the state, the recurring violence has had unintended consequences under the leadership of Mamata Banerjee and her Trinamool Congress (TMC) as they have failed to effectively address and curb the issue. The failure of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to curb the recurring incidents of violence during Panchayat polls is proving advantageous for the opposition, especially the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
For years, the panchayat elections in West Bengal have been plagued by violence. Political parties have resorted to various tactics ranging from intimidation and booth capture to even murders to secure a victory. Since the June 8 announcement of the upcoming election, a disturbing trend of political violence has emerged once again, resulting in a tragic loss of nearly 10 lives.
The normalisation of violence has reached a disgraceful level, affecting the entire electoral process, the credibility of the panchayats, and the overall sense of security in the state. This has resulted in a discouraging environment for individuals to engage in political participation.
West Bengal Panchayat Elections 2023: Full Coverage
It's Time For Mamata Banerjee To Wake up
As the political climate in West Bengal continues to heat up, it is imperative that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee take a closer look at some of the pressing concerns facing her administration. It is high time for her to engage in some introspection and reconsider her approach to these issues. The acceptance of the historical record of political violence during the Left's regime is simply untenable. Banerjee, a vocal critic of undemocratic and autocratic politics in the past, has now turned her attention to the BJP, accusing them of similar tactics. At this critical juncture, it behoves Banerjee to take a closer look at the conduct of the state election commission too.
Former Bengal chief secretary Rajiva Sinha was appointed as the state election commissioner on June 7, and within 24 hours he announced panchayat elections without notifying the political parties, making police arrangements, or preparing district officials, among other things. The Calcutta High Court's intervention in every stage of the election process and subsequent order for a CBI probe into alleged irregularities surrounding the poll have been noteworthy developments. Despite violent incidents, the Mamata Banerjee administration and the SEC continued to attempt to override the HC's ruling to designate a central force for this election. They also challenged the HC's order in the Supreme Court, where they were unsuccessful.
The Calcutta High Court Chief Justice Bench even noted that the SEC should step down if it cannot ensure a free and fair election. It is imperative that Banerjee acknowledge the fact that the transpiring events are not emblematic of a democratic system but rather are symptomatic of an autocratic political climate where impartial bodies like the SEC are anticipated to exhibit a partisan stance.
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Advantage BJP
The persistent violence during the panchayat election and Mamata Banerjee’s denial of this are directly helping the BJP to create the narrative that it is the only alternative that can fight the TMC regime. With their deplorable organisational conditions, the Left, the Congress, and the Indian Secular Front are unable to combat this violence for their political dividend. The BJP has skillfully leveraged the TMC government's inability to tackle the issue of panchayat poll violence, utilising it as a unifying factor to garner backing and extend its reach in West Bengal. The BJP's image as a party capable of ensuring law and order has struck a chord with disenchanted voters who have grown weary of the unending cycle of violence. The party's pledge to usher in peace and stability has resonated well with the electorate.
It is worth noting that a comparable outbreak of violence occurred during the 2018 panchayat election, which ultimately proved advantageous for the BJP within a few months of the election's conclusion. The 2019 Lok Sabha election witnessed a remarkable performance by the BJP in Bengal, as it secured victory in approximately 19 out of the 42 Lok Sabha seats for the first time ever. The current political climate in West Bengal has given rise to a strategic opportunity for Subhendu Adhikari, a former TMC member who is now the BJP leader of opposition in the West Bengal assembly. Having previously been a close ally of Banerjee, Adhikari is well-versed in the art of capitalising on such situations. It is also interesting that Banerjee's ascent to power, which saw her triumph over the Left, was largely due to her unwavering battle against the political aggression perpetrated by the Left regime. The BJP led by Adhikari seems to be emulating a similar strategy, and unless the TMC snaps out of its state of denial, the upcoming general elections in Bengal could witness significant gains for the BJP.
Big Setback For Mamata Banerjee's Image
The recent panchayat poll violence in West Bengal has raised questions about the leadership of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Her perceived inability to effectively address the issue has led to a dent in her image and credibility as a leader. Despite projecting herself as a champion of the marginalised and an advocate for inclusive governance, concerns have been raised about her commitment to democratic principles and the rule of law due to the persistent violence during elections. The TMC is currently facing mounting pressure as a result of a series of alleged scams involving prominent party leaders, many of whom have since been in jail. The recent turn of events has presented the BJP with a golden chance to bring to the fore the governance inadequacies of the TMC and position itself as a viable alternative. The recent outbreak of violence is likely to have significant ramifications for Banerjee in the run-up to the Lok Sabha election. As the political landscape begins to take shape for the 2024 elections, the opposition is scrambling to find a formula to combat the BJP.
However, one party that may struggle to fully embrace the TMC is the Congress. The reason is the widespread violence that has been inflicted upon its own party members in certain states. It remains to be seen how the Congress will navigate this issue as it seeks to mount a credible challenge to the ruling party. Banerjee's inability to address the issue of violence puts her in a precarious position when it comes to negotiating with the opposition. The recent outbreak of violence during the panchayat elections has dealt a significant blow to Banerjee's prospects of assuming a pivotal position in the opposition coalition. To say that this turn of events has not been detrimental to her political aspirations would be a gross understatement. The political climate in Bengal is of utmost significance, particularly if the BJP emerges as the beneficiary. If the party manages to replicate or surpass its 2019 performance, the TMC will undoubtedly face a challenge from other parties as its seat count will be limited.
It is imperative for Mamata Banerjee and the Trinamool Congress to move beyond their fixation with the past violence under the Left regime. Attempting to create a narrative that the level of violence has decreased is not a sustainable strategy. In today's world, the prevalence of technology and the abundance of TV media have resulted in the widespread reporting of acts of violence. This is in stark contrast to earlier times, when many such incidents went unreported. Banerjee's purported aim and foresight ought to have been to establish a distinctive Bengal where electoral violence of this nature would be a thing of the past. The TMC stands accused of not only failing to rein in the goons and strongmen who once wreaked havoc during the Left regime, but of actively nurturing such elements and providing them with a safe haven within the party. The unchecked violence that has plagued the panchayat system can be attributed to its status as the most basic level of governance. The unchecked outbreak of violence, the failure to maintain law and order, the biassed actions of those in power, and the refusal to acknowledge the truth are all factors that could severely impact Banerjee's political prospects in Bengal and beyond.
The 2023 West Bengal Panchayat Elections will be held on July 8, and the votes will be counted on July 11.
The author is a columnist and doctoral research scholar in media and politics.
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