Two-day protest by Left parties over panchayat poll violence

The Left parties in West Bengal will hold a two-day-long demonstration in the city from March 3 to protest against the alleged violence by the TMC workers, ahead of the panchayat elections.

The ruling party is only bothered about winning the polls even if it comes at the cost of the democratic rights of the masses, a joint statement by 17 Left parties said here today.

"Several people have died during the filing of nominations. The TMC is trying to take away the right of the masses to participate in free and fair elections. We have decided to hold a two-day long sit-in demonstration in the state from May 3 at Esplanade area," the statement said.

The nomination filing for the panchayat polls was marred by violence and clashes between the ruling TMC and opposition parties, resulting in the death of four people.