TMC sends fact-finding teams across Bengal, alleges attacks and killings after poll defeat

Trinamool Congress teams visited various districts of West Bengal to assess complaints regarding post-election violence and alleged election manipulations. The TMC leadership claimed that at least 10 of its workers were “brutally killed” following the election results.

Three investigation teams, including many senior TMC leaders from Kolkata, visited different parts of the state and met many party workers.

A woman TMC worker from Hooghly said she and her family were attacked after the elections were over in the state: “They continued to mistreat us despite us doing so much work for them. These are all BJP workers.”

TMC’s Rajya Sabha MP Dola Sen, who was part of one of the fact-finding teams, said party workers and common people were also attacked by BJP workers in the last few days.

Ms. Şen said, “They broke down many houses, took over many of our party offices. They are also trying to destroy all government institutions and offices… However, despite all this intimidation, our workers are not afraid.” He also added that they will submit their findings to the government and the Supreme Court, where the TMC is fighting a case against post-election violence.

“TMC counting agents were badly beaten in Bengal and thrown out of counting centers after 2 pm. (All godi media channels started shouting “BJP victory” in unison. It was at 2 pm),” TMC’s Rajya Sabha MP Sagarika Ghose said, based on the conclusions of fact-finding teams.

West Bengal Minister Ashok Kirtania criticized TMC’s fact-finding team and said they have nothing to do with the drama that ‘Mamata Banerjee’ is doing.

“Our CM said in the Assembly that if any TMC workers become homeless due to post-election issues, they will be brought back if they report their names to the DGP… But after the 2021 elections, we will not allow post-election violence on BJP workers,” Mr. Kirtania said.

Meanwhile, TMC president and general secretary Abhishek Banerjee met members of the party’s legal cell to fight against the attack on its workers.

“At a time when our workers are being brutally attacked, abused and subjected to relentless intimidation, we must unite to protect their rights, preserve their dignity and ensure justice for every victim of political violence,” TMC’s official statement on its social media pages said.

The party, which fell from power after 15 years and lost to the BJP by a large margin, also claimed that more than 3 thousand of its employees were attacked and at least 10 of them were killed, following the latest poll results.

Two days ago, on May 14, former Bengal CM Ms. Banerjee appeared before the Calcutta High Court in the robes of a lawyer to defend a case filed by her party against post-election violence.

The Kolkata High Court has directed the police to ensure the safe return of victims affected by violence. However, the incident also prompted the Bar Council of India to raise questions about the validity and status of Ms. Banerjee’s legal license to practice in the courts.