With every passing year certain political realities gradually change while political inertia persists over some phenomenon. For instance, over the past few years the phenomenon of strikes and lockdowns may have gradually faded in West Bengal politics, but the bogey of political violence in the State shows no signs of abating.
Political violence rocked West Bengal politics in 2023. The West Bengal panchayat elections held in 2023 witnessed widespread violence across several districts, leaving more than 40 people dead in inter party and intra-party clashes. The West Bengal government has put the figures at 28 and according to the Chief Minister it was the Trinamool Congress supporters who suffered maximum casualties. Violence and murders were reported almost every day from the day of issue of notification for the election on June 8 to the day of polling on July 9 and even on the day of counting on July 11. Certain areas of the State like Murshidabad, South 24 Parganas and Cooch Behar witnessed more murders and violence.
For the rural elections in West Bengal, the stakes are much higher than Assembly elections and Lok Sabha elections. Political loyalties are fluid when thousands are contesting for a stake in local politics are vying for tickets across political parties.
