‘blood-character’ of Bengal elections, scary data of 20 years; See how many deaths in which election?

Election Related Violence In West Bengal: Voting for both phases has ended with sporadic incidents of violence in West Bengal. No incident of violence was officially recorded during the first phase of voting on April 23. However, in the second phase on April 29, commotion and violence were witnessed at some places in the two assembly constituencies. Where the security forces even had to resort to lathi charge.

Apart from this, the Election Commission had to conduct re-polling on Saturday, (May 2) in 15 booths of Diamond Harbor and Magrahat West. At the same time, voting will be held again on May 21 at all 285 booths of Falta Assembly constituency and counting of votes will be done on May 24.

‘Peaceful elections so far in Bengal’

After the end of the first phase of voting, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had said in the press conference that this is the most peaceful election so far in West Bengal. Where, there was no violence of any kind. Amit Shah said that the people of West Bengal have voted for change with unprecedented enthusiasm and zeal. I want to congratulate the Election Commission, the CAPF, the entire system involved in helping the Election Commission and the Bengal Police, why after a long time there was not a single death in the Bengal elections, this is the first time that such an election has taken place.

Highest political murder in Bengal

According to National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data, West Bengal has had the highest rate of political murders in India. Amidst this election environment, let us know in detail when and in which elections how much violence and how many people died in Bengal.

6-10 people dead in 2024 Lok Sabha elections

More than 900 companies of Central Armed Police Forces were deployed to prevent violence in West Bengal during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections. This helped in preventing large-scale deaths in the 2023 Panchayat elections. National media outlets have reported 6 to 10 deaths, more than 100 attacks and several incidents of EVM vandalism at many places.

Heavy violence in 2023 Bengal Panchayat elections

In the year 2023, incidents of large-scale violence were recorded in the Panchayat elections in Bengal. This election was marked by a high number of deaths, which began as soon as the nomination process began and continued until vote counting was completed. There were reports of deaths of about 45 to 55 people in these elections, out of which 12 to 18 people lost their lives on the day of voting itself.

Picture taken during the violence in 2023 Panchayat elections, (Source- Social Media

Hat-trick of TMC victories in 2021

Trinamool Congress came back to power for the third time after a fierce contest with the Bharatiya Janata Party in the assembly elections held in the year 2021. ‘Call of Justice’ According to a report by a fact-finding committee, there were at least 1,300 incidents of violence, 17 deaths and 7,000 cases of molestation during this period. Union Home Minister Amit Shah claimed that more than 130 BJP workers were killed in Bengal between 2019 and 2021. Following the incident, central bodies such as the Election Commission began investigating it, and the Calcutta High Court directed the CBI to investigate the most serious crimes such as rape and murder.

12-15 people died in 2019 Lok Sabha elections

Bharatiya Janata Party emerged as a major force in West Bengal in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Large-scale political clashes were reported in North Bengal and Barrackpore near Kolkata. At least 12 to 15 people died and more than 700 were injured during the elections held in seven phases.

Picture of people injured in violence during 2023 Panchayat elections, (Source- Social media)

2018 Bengal Panchayat elections most violent

The local elections held in Bengal in 2018 are seen as the most violent elections in the last 20 years. A total of 75 people died in violence before and on election day, of which 13 deaths occurred on election day. In these elections, incidents of attacks with crude bombs and booth capturing were seen in different districts. In this election, 34 percent seats were decided without any contest, out of which TMC won most of the seats.

8-12 people died in 2016 assembly elections

Heavy deployment of central forces at polling booths in Bengal ensured that violence remained under control, but there was a sharp increase in violent incidents after the elections. During this election, there were reports of deaths of 8-12 people, while large scale displacement of people and cases of arson were also recorded. Hundreds of people were injured in country-made bombs and mutual clashes.

7-16 people died in 2014 Lok Sabha elections

The highest number of cases of violence were recorded in Bengal during the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, in which 7-16 people died and 1,298 political party workers were injured. The Election Commission recorded that all 1,354 spectators (common citizens, not affiliated with any party) injured in election violence across India were from Bengal.

20-30 people died in 2013 Panchayat elections

Despite the deployment of central forces in 5 phases, the unofficial death toll was said to be 20 to 30. Along with this, hundreds of cases of physical attacks were also reported. At least 17 deaths were recorded on the day of voting itself. Another special feature of this election was that there was a long legal battle between the State Election Commission and the State Government regarding the deployment of central paramilitary forces.

Rise of TMC in 2011 assembly elections

in the 2011 elections Mamata Banerjee finally ended 34 years of Left rule, while election violence continued as before. At least 17–25 people died, and several cases of sexual harassment and intimidation were also reported. According to CPM leaders, 183 leftist workers were killed between May 2011 and July 2016.

TMC-Congress conflict in 2009 Lok Sabha elections

During the 2009 Lok Sabha elections, Jangalmahal area witnessed a triangular conflict between CPM, TMC-Congress workers and Maoists. At least 15 deaths were reported during the election campaign between March and May, but post-election violence escalated to shocking levels. According to a report, the number of political killings after May 16, 2009 had crossed 150. Left Front Chairman Biman Bose told ‘The Hindu’ It confirmed a list of 269 supporters who were murdered between the 2009 Lok Sabha elections and mid-2010.

45 deaths in 2008 Panchayat elections

There was a lot of clash between the Left and TMC in the Panchayat elections held in Bengal in the year 2028. Heavy clashes in Nandigram and Singur signaled major political changes. At least 14 people lost their lives in police firing during the 2007 land acquisition protests, and the unofficial number of deaths after the 2008 elections was put at around 45. However, no concrete figures of deaths in the Singur movement are available.

Also read: Complete majority in exit poll, yet why did BJP’s tension increase before counting of votes? This shocking figure came out

5-6 people killed in 2006 assembly elections

2006 happened in Bengal assembly elections In 2017, the Left government came back to power with a landslide victory on 235 out of 292 seats. Statistics show that this election was relatively peaceful. However, there were sporadic clashes between TMC and CPM workers. There is no concrete data available on the deaths during this election, but according to the records of local media reports, around 5 to 6 people died.