Amid reports of massive violence during West Bengal Panchayat elections, senior Trinamool Congress leader Derek O'Brien slammed those ‘deliberately trying to foment trouble’.

In a series of tweets, O'Brien questioned the ‘‘newborn' experts on Bengal Panchayat Elections’ and talked about the history violence in the state.

Recalling the 90s, O'Brien said that around 400 people were killed in poll violence under CPM rule in the state.

The Trinamool lawmaker then compared the numbers to the period of 2003, when there were 40 deaths in the state.

‘Every death is a tragedy. Now closer to normal than earlier times. Yes, few dozen incidents. Say,40 out of 58000 booths. What's %age (sic),’ O'Brien said on Twitter.

He blamed the BJP and the Left for the clashes. He, in fact, went on saying that the Opposition parties in the state were ‘ganging up with Maoists to kill/shoot/stab three Trinamool workers in different incidents in Bengal today.’‏

His tweets trying to justify the violence didn’t go down well with Twitterati.

To all 'newborn' experts on Bengal #PanchayatElections in State have a history. 400 killed in poll violence in 1990s in CPIM rule. 2003: 40 dead.Every death is a tragedy. Now closer to normal than earlier times.Yes, few dozen incidents. Say,40 out of 58000 booths. What's %age ? — Derek O'Brien (@derekobrienmp) May 14, 2018

I can’t believe I am reading this, a person who I admired once. SORRY no comparison, no percentage can justify the violence, the illegal acts are out in open. Here you are admiting the law & order has gone for a toss in your party ruled state & even justifying it. What a shame. https://t.co/CYiWUqTtIk — Singh Varun (@singhvarun) May 14, 2018

Every life matters, Mr bournvita. https://t.co/4PRoIhqJvX — The Delhi Lawyer (@delhi_lawyer) May 14, 2018

Then why did u barked when kids in Gorakhpur hospitals were dying? Haven't u read history of previous years? Loosers like u want to justify killings by means of % Shame on u!! https://t.co/BEMwAYA1E6 — Burnol waali (@burnolwali) May 14, 2018

These 40 lives do matter, Sir. Didn’t expect an “expert” like you to normalise the murders. Regards https://t.co/etQSldEwEs — Kanchan Srivastava (@Ms_Aflatoon) May 14, 2018

Kids, let's get one thing straight - under NO circumstances "but we killed less people" can be used to justify ANYTHING. https://t.co/oSXD8hmuNi — Karnika Kohli (@KarnikaKohli) May 14, 2018

What a disgrace this man is !!! https://t.co/oXf9da1jU2 — Akshay Jalan (@jalan_akshay) May 14, 2018

If he was a judge and someone approaches him for being assaulted, he would say that you're closer to normal times, last time you were stabbed with knife. This type of idiots are our representatives & we elected them. We should be ashamed on us for voting them to power. https://t.co/mseczRIzKL — Haritha Varanasi (@csharitha) May 14, 2018

YOU ARE DEFENDING MURDERS AND RAPES AND THAT’S YOUR LOGIC ?? 34 YEARS OF LEFT RULE RUINED THE STATE. THAT’S WHY PEOPLE DID CHOOSE YOU IN 2011. NOT TO LISTEN YOUR CRAP SUCH A SHAMELESS CREATURE YOU ARE !! https://t.co/vliy16dg3W — Fidus Achates (@Sohni_Bose) May 14, 2018

If you have had to quote 1990's in 2018 then your argument is a sham. https://t.co/W1hQIDEqRM — shilpi tewari (@shilpitewari) May 14, 2018

18000 panchayat seats are going uncontested. The percentage is 34%! Thanks for the crude bombs, booth capturing & the violence! https://t.co/v5DXOqQt04 — Nitin Gupta (@Nitin_Rivaldo) May 14, 2018

Derek, you are flirting with the wrong side of history. This won’t last you know https://t.co/mutY9nvQQj — Subhash (@schandra_100) May 14, 2018

Stick to Bournvita Quiz contest mate. https://t.co/SttHGRE98D — Utsav Ojha (@_thatUtsavOjha) May 14, 2018

What is the national acceptable murder rate per polling booth in India? In Bangladesh? Iraq?? How does West Bengal count against that? https://t.co/JPDb5rzEUo — Be'Havin! (@WrongDoc) May 14, 2018

Yup. This tweet exists! This proves, Education never makes a difference. Character does! https://t.co/JgRuqIkggW — Super Londay (@SuperLonday) May 14, 2018

Approximately 0.07% What do I win in this quiz, Double O Seven Sir? https://t.co/IOsULKaljx — JudiciaRatty (@YearOfRat) May 14, 2018

Liberals have privilege to murder democracy and still lecture us. https://t.co/K8NoBd5M6E — Rambantu (@Raven_krishna) May 14, 2018

Slow claps for this historic whataboutery on prevalent poll violence and anarchy in WB https://t.co/81dz2UYDEb — Masakadzas (@Nesenag) May 14, 2018

Tragedy happens when death becomes a number or pen centage. Shit happens when moron like Derek O Brien becomes a politician. https://t.co/3OpvHVAdqt — Aparna (@chhuti_is) May 14, 2018

This whataboutery and subsequent dismissal of reportage are nice. But these will no longer work. Either you take action or are an (alleged) party to this hooliganism. Stop using statistics as a shield. https://t.co/EsP5wWPZL0 — Niladri Bose (@Neel_2014) May 14, 2018

10 people were killed and several others injured in violence during the single phase panchayat elections in West Bengal, which recorded over 41 per cent polling till 1 pm, officials said.

The polling is being conducted amid massive security across 20 districts. A total of 10 deaths have been reported so far.

Deaths have been reported in Tehatta, Beldanga and Nauda in Murshidabada, Kultaki in South 24 Parganas, Amdanga and Deganga in North 24 Parganas, Santipur and Nakashipara in Nadia, Nandigram in East Midnapore and in North Coochbehar.

Baharampore Sub-Divisional Officer Dibyanarayan Chatterjee said one person was shot dead near a booth at Sujapur village in Murshidabad district's Beldanga police station area.

The victim was a worker of the BJP, a party leader from Murshidabad district, Subhas Mondal, claimed.

"We have also received a report that four people were injured and another person was killed at Tapan in South Dinajpur district. But the police are yet to confirm the death," the SEC official said.

He said 41.5 per cent polling was recorded till 1 pm.

A CPI(M) supporter was killed and another was injured when bombs were hurled outside a polling station in the Amdanga area of North 24 Parganas district, the official said.

At Kultali in South 24 Parganas district, one person was killed when a bomb was hurled outside a polling station, the SEC official said.

In Nadia's Shantipur area, one person was killed and two others were injured in clashes, he said.

In Coochbehar district, North Bengal Development Minister Rabindranath Ghosh allegedly slapped a person outside a polling booth.

The SEC said it has received a complaint in this regard and asked authorities to take action.

Televisions channels showed the minister purportedly slapping the person. However, Ghosh claimed he did not do it.

In the Dinhata area of Coochbehar district, at least 15 people, including voters, were injured after clashes broke out between two groups outside a polling station, police sources said. The voters later lodged a police complaint.

Fifteen people were injured in a clash between two groups outside a booth in the Nandigram area of East Midnapore district. One person was hit on the head with a chopper while another lost a finger, police said.

In Contai in the same district, Independent candidate and four others were injured when chilli powder was thrown at them at a booth, they said.

In North Dinajpur district, three crude bombs were found near a polling booth at Galaisura, around three km from district headquarter Raiganj, police said.

Of the three bombs, two were found on railway tracks, affecting movement of trains, RPF sources said, adding that the bomb squad has been informed.

In Birbhum, masked men carrying weapons and sticks were seen intimidating voters outside some of the booths.

Television footage from Basanti block of South 24 Parganas district showed masked gunmen roaming outside polling stations.

In the Bhangar area of the same district, police resorted to lathi-charge and lobbed tear gas shells to disperse a mob following clashes there, the SEC official said, adding that the police were asked to submit a report regarding the incident.

In Keshpur area of West Midnapore district, police resorted to lathi-charge and chased people who were allegedly trying to intimidate voters.

After a protracted legal battle in the Kolkata High Court and the Supreme Court involving the SEC, the TMC and the opposition parties, the three-tier panchayat polls is being held in the state.

With inputs from PTI