Brinda Karat pulls up Mamata Govt. for violence during WB panchayat polls

As violent clashes gripped West Bengal during the third phase of the panchayat polls, Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Brinda Karat on Friday accused the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) Government of not honouring norms of democracy but resorting to hooliganism.

"What is going on in West Bengal is the butchery of democracy and it certainly started against the CPI (M), but now it is spread to anybody and everybody who dares to oppose the TMC including those who are within their own party," she told the media in New Delhi.

According to reports, at least two people - one from the CPI (M) and another from the TMC - were killed in poll-related clashes in West Bengal today where three districts voted in the third phase of the panchayat polls.

TMC candidate from Howrah, Saroj Ranjan Kar, shared his views with the media and candidly said criminals have entered even his party that is currently heading the state government.

"At a polling booth in south Sikti area, a leader of Trinamool Congress and Panchayat Committee member, Prashant Dey is a member our party even though he is a criminal. He also took part in the violence. In a booth in Abhirampur, a woman was molested, her clothes were ripped," said a Saroj Ranjan Kar.