West Bengal post-poll violence: MHA team meets Governor, to seek report

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has said 16 people lost their lives in post-poll violence in various parts of the state

The four-member team of the Union Home Ministry probing the reasons behind post-poll violence in West Bengal met Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar on Friday. According to sources in the Raj Bhavan, the Central team has sought a report from the Governor regarding post-poll violence and the law and order situation in Bengal.

“Four member MHA team led by Shri Govind Mohan, IAS, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India called on the West Bengal Governor today at 10 am at Raj Bhawan, Kolkata. The MHA team was with the Governor for over an hour,” tweeted the Governor.

The development comes a day after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed displeasure at the arrival of the Central team within 24 hours of her taking the oath. She also said that till May 3, when the model code of conduct, was in force in Bengal. 16 persons have died in post-poll violence.

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Later in the day, the Central team visited several places in South 24 Paraganas district such as Sathgachia and Budge Budge and spoke to victims of post-poll violence. However, they did not speak to reporters.

After the team returned to Kolkata, a four-member state BJP delegation met them. The BJP delegation alleged that the state Government’s claim that post-poll violence has subsided in Bengal is false and it was continuing unabated in the State.

They further alleged that the situation has become such that people are fleeing from their home or even hiding in jungles fearing for their life.

Meanwhile, the state BJP leadership announced that it will continue to boycott Assembly sessions till the ongoing post-poll violence in Bengal. The decision was taken at the meeting of BJP’s Legislative Party also attended by state BJP president Dilip Ghosh.

“Several of our MLAs were unable to come to the Assembly to take oath due to post-poll violence in Bengal. I have told them to stay in their constituencies and stand by party workers. Our MLAs will not attend any Assembly session till the violence stops,” said Ghosh.

The BJP has also boycotted the Assembly session on Saturday when the Speaker will be elected.