"Elections Must Be Through Ballots, Not Bullets": West Bengal Governor On Panchayat Polls
NDTV
The Bharatiya Janata Party has accused the ruling Trinamool Congress of being involved in the incidents.
Amid reports of violence in the West Bengal panchayat polls, Governor CV Ananda Bose on Saturday said that elections must be held "through ballots not bullets," and said the day should be considered as the "most sacred" for democracy." Various incidents of violence have been reported from different districts in the state.
Earlier in the day, the Governor was stopped by a few CPI(M) candidates while he was on his way to cast his vote in the North 24-Parganas. The CPI(M) candidates shared their concerns with the Governor.
"I have been in the field right from the morning...People requested me and stopped my motorcade on the way. They told me about the murders happening around them, told me about the goons not allowing them to go to the polling booths...It should cause concern to all of us. This is the most sacred day for democracy...The election must be through ballots and not bullets," the Governor said while talking to the reporters.
