West Bengal elections: TMC involved in 64% of the poll violence in past decade

Story so far: Within three days of the announcement of the dates to the West Bengal elections, six violent incidents were noted by independent conflict monitor — Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (ACLED). Five of these involve Trinamool Congress members (83.33%) – two against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members and three involve Trinamool factions. One incident involves factions of Communist Party of India – Marxist [(CPI(M)] damaging party offices. 

A study of 16 elections held in large States (with over 200 Assembly seats) in the past decade pegged ranked Bengal as the most violent. The Hindu’s analysis of the four elections held between 2015 and 2026 – Assembly elections in 2016, 2021 and Panchayat elections in 2018 and 2023, showed violence steadily increase the decade. While 172 violent incidents were reported by ACLED in 2016, it rose to 278 in 2021 State elections – a 61.62% jump. On Panchayat level, the rise is from 155 incidents in 2018 to 327 in 2023 elections – a 110% jump.