By Dipaneeta Das: Preparations for the Bengal panchayat polls are in full swing with over a thousand nominations being filed every day. In line with history, there have also been reports of sporadic violence allegedly by the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) in several pockets of the state, the opposition claimed.

As the parties are set for a thrilling contest in the three-tier model in over 70,000 seats, Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Monday extended warmth to the opposition parties by offering roses and water bottles to BJP and CPI(M) leaders in Salanpur, East Bardhaman district.

The TMC nominees also welcomed their opposition with tea and biscuits in a bid to set a precedent for a “peaceful election.”

Speaking to India Today, TMC Block Vice President Bhola Singh stated, “There is no trouble or conflict in this block. We all want peaceful elections. So it is our duty to ensure that everyone can submit nominations calmly.”

“Everywhere we are seeing instances of violence. There are allegations that TMC leaders are stopping the opposition from filing nominations, but this is not the case here. We share a cordial understanding. Under the supervision of our block chairman, we have always promoted development. We are ensuring everyone gets equal benefits. This is our way of welcoming all opposition for a fair fight. We want cumulative development for the public,” Singh said.

VIOLENCE AHEAD OF PANCHAYAT POLLS

West Bengal is all set to poll for its panchayat elections on July 8, including gram panchayats, panchayat samiti, zila parishads. The panchayat elections are considered to be curtain raisers ahead of the Lok Sabha election, scheduled to be held next year.

However, the first day of filing nomination papers for the July 8 panchayat election in West Bengal was marked by violence. With many candidates unable to file their nominations and the BDO office being gheraoed, the state has got off to another rocky start for the rural polls.

The clash between TMC, CPM and Congress workers in Murshidabad continued on Saturday as Congress and its ally CPM workers attacked TMC workers in Domkal in Murshidabad in the run-up to the panchayat election. This comes a day after a Congress worker, Fulchand Sheikh, 45, was shot dead. Congress alleged that the TMC was behind the murder of their party worker.

“This is a clear indication that the TMC is trying to win the panchayat polls by using muscle power. What is the use of a ballot if the TMC wants to win with bullets,” state Congress president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury claimed.

“The TMC is trying to intimidate Congress workers ahead of the panchayat polls,” Chowdhury added.

Amid the ruckus, a firearm was recovered from Bashir Mollah, a local TMC leader in Domkal. He was arrested and taken to a nearby police station after a firearm was found in his possession.

Meanwhile, Congress and BJP approached the Calcutta High Court seeking more time for filing nominations and deployment of central forces to curb any untoward situation that may arise. While Congress under INC state president Adhir Ranjan appealed for central forces, the BJP under Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari called for the expansion of nomination dates. The hearing is currently underway.