A wave of fear has gripped districts in Bengal ahead of the forthcoming panchayat elections, as Opposition candidates face intimidating tactics to force them to withdraw their nominations. The alleged Trinamool Congress musclemen, who failed to prevent Opposition candidates from filing their nominations through force, have resorted to symbolic threats and acts of violence.
With June 20 being the last date for the withdrawal of nominations, Opposition candidates have started receiving ominous messages in the form of white robes, sweets, scented sticks, and white garlands. These items hold symbolic meaning, as white robes or sarees are typically worn by widows. Threatening letters sent to candidates have contained messages like, “See you at the funeral... Advance condolences... Ask your husband to withdraw the nomination.” Minati, the wife of a CPI(M) candidate in Nadia district, received a two-line letter with such a threat.
Another threatening letter to a CPI(M) candidate read, “Mark your choice on the walls of your house... Bomb, Hansua (chopper), or bullets... we shall oblige adequately... we will take care of wife... don’t worry.”
Reports of such parcels and threats have emerged from various parts of the State, particularly in the southern districts of South 24 Parganas, Bankura, and Hooghly.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a CPI(M) candidate hiding in Kolkata expressed concern for the safety of his family members. He revealed that his wife had received a white saree, garlands, and sweets along with a “good luck” message for the panchayat polls. Despite the threats, he asserted that he would not withdraw his nomination under any circumstances. However, threats have escalated into acts of violence. In Coochbehar district, the brother-in-law of a BJP candidate was found brutally murdered near his house. Junior Union Home Minister and local BJP MP Nisith Pramanik accused the Trinamool Congress of the murder.
This incident brings the death toll related to the panchayat elections to eight in the past ten days.
Reports of threats and attacks on Opposition workers’ houses have surfaced from Malda, Murshidabad, South 24 Parganas, North 24 Parganas, Hooghly, and West Burdwan.
Congress candidates in Manikchak, Malda district, have been hiding in mango orchards to avoid potential harm.
Despite the danger they face, they remain determined to continue their candidature, relying on the support of the angry villagers.
In Raninagar area of Murshidabad district, posters have been left threatening Congress and Left candidates to withdraw their nominations or face dire consequences, including imprisonment or worse.
The posters suggest possible collusion between the police and the intimidators.
In Sandeshkhali, Basirhaat, BJP candidates have sought refuge in the party office in Kolkata, alleging that the police are either dismissing their cases or pressuring them to withdraw their nominations under false charges. Further incidents have occurred in Arambagh, Hooghly district, where a CPI(M) candidate was molested and severely beaten for refusing to withdraw her nomination. In Diamond Harbor, the houses of BJP party colleagues were attacked with bombs.