YET another battle for defending democracy has started in West Bengal. In the ensuing elections to 91 municipalities and Kolkata Corporation, the ruling party has already launched a campaign of terror. As it has become a practice in West Bengal now in every election, the TMC initially targeted to capture as many municipalities as possible without contest. They have succeeded in Arambagh, Tarekeswar and Gayeshpur municipalities. Left Front candidates were threatened with dire consequences, in many cases their houses were attacked, some of them kidnapped and were forced to withdraw from contest. In Bhatpara municipality, TMC MLA, known as a muscleman, forced Left Front candidates to withdraw from two seats in which he and his brother were candidates. In Banshberia, the TMC had forced seven candidates to withdraw in the same manner. Hardcore criminals were employed to do the job. In many municipalities, Left Front candidates had to leave their residences after filing nominations. It is particularly true in industrial areas of North 24 Parganas. However, they were not so successful in the entire state. The Left Front is contesting 93 per cent seats.

Then there are attacks on the Left Front’s campaign. In many areas throughout the state, wall writings were defaced, banners were torn, campaigning in localities was attacked. This has happened in many wards in Kolkata too. In northern Kolkata, TMC miscreants have taken control in at least five wards and the CPI(M) was not allowed to campaign freely in most of the areas. Party offices were attacked and a reign of terror has been unleashed. Braving the terror, the Left Front has organised a five kilometre long rally, led by Biman Basu. Even that rally was disturbed and blocked.

CPI(M) state committee has called upon the Party workers and the people to squarely fight these attacks on democracy. Party has declared that a determined fight would continue till the end. Thousands of Left activists have already started door-to-door campaign exposing the state government’s betrayal and the nexus between developers and the TMC municipal boards in most cases.

 CPI(M) state secretary Suryakanta Misra has warned the state government and the ruling party that there would be mass resistance if there was any attempt to rig the elections. Addressing media after Party state committee meeting, Misra said, it was evident that the main agenda of the TMC is to repeat the experiences of panchayat and Lok Sabha elections. They are using administration and even state election commission to achieve this agenda. But they should remember that the situation was changing and they would face much bigger resistance this time.

Addressing Party workers’ meeting in Siliguri and North 24 Parganas, Misra said, TMC’s terrorisation proves their weakness, their shakiness to face the people. They are in a politically defensive position.