As widely expected and feared by Opposition, Panchayat polls in West Bengal witnessed a vortex of violence as political parties threw caution to wind and roughed up adversaries in front of immobile authorities.

While CPI(M) and BJP saw a TMC hand in the violence, TMC leaders cited numbers to claim that their workers were the ones who faced maximum casualties. At the time of writing, 12 people had died in various parts of Bengal. Even with shocking images broadcast across the country through media channels, TMC’s Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien tried to justify the violence.

A voter turnout of 56 percent has been recorded in West Bengal panchayat polls till 3 p.m. on Monday.

The voting for the panchayat polls which started at 7 in the morning is still underway. It will end at 5 pm. Earlier, 31 per cent voter turnout was reported till 1 p.m.

Though the polling began amid tight security, it saw huge-scale clashes between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers, resulting in the death of one.

Derek O'Brien slams those 'fomenting trouble'

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.

For the BJP troll factory,today was just another day at the office. A concocted trend here, some copy pasted tweets there.Try as U might to shame Bengal, its people and its Premier, you never will. Bengal knows better.They know the losers spreading hate, because losers never win — Derek O'Brien (@derekobrienmp) May 14, 2018

CPI(M) blames TMC for violence

Accusing the ruling Trinamool Congress in West Bengal of unleashing a reign of terror during the panchayat polls today, CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury dismissed the TMC's remarks that violence occurred during the Left rule too, saying had it been true, Mamata Banerjee would never have come to power in the state.

Ministry of Home Affairs has sought a report from the West Bengal Government regarding incidents of violence

Election has turned into a commotion because no rules were followed. Police could not strengthen the security. That is why we have come here to speak to the Election Commission to find a solution: Biman Bose

Overall 56% polling recorded till 3 pm in West Bengal

"This itself shows that they are defensive and guilty. Media is showing what is happening. If this was happening during Left Front rule, then the TMC government would never have come in Bengal and the chief minister would not have been the chief minister of Bengal," the CPI(M) general secretary Yechury told reporters.

Condemning the violence, Yechury said that it is "naked attack on democracy" and that the party would fight back through people's involvement for which the process has already begun.

BJP slams TMC

Union Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Babul Supriyo on Monday accused the West Bengal Government for the ongoing protest in the state amid the panchayat polls and demanded President's rule in the state.

Speaking to ANI, the Union Minister leader termed Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee government as ‘shameless’ one, who do not follow any rules.

‘Not surprised by all the incidents that are happening since morning. Bengal government is a shameless government; you cannot expect them to follow any kind of constitutional behaviour. I demand President's Rule in West Bengal,’ Supriyo said.

TMC defends violence

Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Partha Chatterjee said that no major incidents of protest have been reported till now in the state.

There are minor incidents taking place, no major incidents have been reported. The administration is active in places where such clashes have taken place,? Chatterjee told ANI. “Voting is being conducted peacefully. I strongly condemn the attack on journalists,” he added.