Kolkata, May 5: The Election Commission has directed the Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, and Central Armed Police Forces stationed in West Bengal to adopt a zero-tolerance policy towards post-poll violence. This directive comes in response to reports of violent incidents across various parts of the state following the announcement of election results on Monday evening.
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has alleged that several of its party offices were vandalized and its workers were assaulted. In the Tollygunge area of South Kolkata, the party office of former TMC MLA Arup Biswas was also damaged. Additionally, a TMC office in the Beleghata area faced vandalism, and one worker was reportedly beaten.
The TMC further claimed that the office of Abhishek Banerjee in Amtala was attacked by a mob. Following these incidents, the Election Commission instructed strict action from the Chief Secretary, DGP, and CAPF personnel, emphasizing the need for a zero-tolerance approach to such occurrences.
This marks a significant political shift in the state after nearly a decade and a half, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) winning 207 out of 293 seats, while TMC’s seats have dropped from 215 in 2021 to 80.
Earlier in the day, Kolkata Police warned of legal action against those spreading fake or inflammatory posts on social media that could incite unrest in the city. The police stated that the situation in Kolkata is under control and urged people not to share such posts. This warning was issued as several images and videos claiming post-election violence circulated online.
Meanwhile, on Monday, numerous BJP workers and supporters gathered outside Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee‘s residence in Kolkata, chanting slogans. Viral videos showed hundreds of BJP supporters in the Kalighat area near the Chief Minister’s residence shouting “Jai Shri Ram,” “BJP Zindabad,” and “Bharat Mata Ki Jai.” The police later arrived to disperse the crowd and maintain order.