Post-poll violence in West Bengal: 2 dead, 433 arrested as Governor dissolves assembly
Tensions remain high in West Bengal following the declaration of election results, with police confirming that two people have died and 433 individuals have been arrested since counting day on May 4.
The state Director General of Police Siddh Nath Gupta addressed a press briefing, stating that authorities are taking strict action to control post-poll violence and restore normalcy across affected areas.
In a parallel political development, West Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya announced that the oath-taking ceremony for the new government will be held on May 9 at Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission has directed authorities to immediately arrest those involved in incidents of violence and vandalism reported in several parts of the state.
The unrest includes incidents such as damage to public property in Kolkata’s New Market area and the vandalism of a Lenin statue in Jiaganj, Murshidabad. The Trinamool Congress has alleged that these acts were carried out by political opponents, while opposition parties have blamed law and order breakdown in the state.
In a major constitutional development, Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar dissolved the 16th State Legislative Assembly with effect from May 5, following political realignments after the recent elections.
In Tamil Nadu, actor-politician Vijay met the Governor to stake claim to form the government after his party secured support from the Indian National Congress, which also ended its long-standing alliance with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam.
Separately, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma resigned along with his cabinet, paving the way for a new government formation after the BJP-led alliance secured a decisive mandate.
Authorities across states are now overseeing transitions amid heightened political activity and law enforcement action.
