Debate rages on violence while parties draw mileage

There has been much debate on the violence which is preceding the panchayat election. While the Opposition has termed it unprecedented with around 17 deaths, the ruling party has never to differ.

- ASHOK CHATTERJEE

Chief minister Mamata Banerjee is on record claiming troubles have been in miniscule areas compared to the overall seats, while the DG of state police has termed it 'sporadic'.

The state's Governor has also been drawn into the debate.

Putting the present situation in perspective, Trinamul Congress state VP Jay Prakash Majumdar said, “Bengal has always been very active even in the pre-Independence days when it produced many revolutionaries. People here are very politically motivated. But the partition of Bengal left a deep wound in people's psyche. After the partition, Marxism and communism flourished in Bengal. The Naxal movement also started here, which believed that guns can only bring power. The culture of revolution and violence gained currency here, which stayed. The political violence in Bengal is like cancer. This cannot be ignored. We just cannot blame the government for it.”