President's Rule In West Bengal Would Be A Grave Mistake
Editor-in-Chief of indiacommentary.com. Current Affairs analyst and political commentator.
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By Sunil Garodia
First publised on 2021-05-05 02:29:08
About the Author
Editor-in-Chief of indiacommentary.com. Current Affairs analyst and political commentator.
View all posts by this Author
It is extremely unfortunate that West Bengal is in the grip of post-poll violence. Although it has become a feature of politics in the state that the winner tries to take all and after the polls, workers of opposition parties are subjected to all kinds of harassment and torture, one had expected that after a magnificent and sweeping victory, the TMC would restrain its workers and put an end to this cycle of poll related violence. But this was not to be. Alarming reports are pouring in of BJP workers being targeted and their houses and shops being burnt. Several killings have also taken place.
The TMC has tried to pass this as factional feud between BJP factions who are trying to gain control of the party. This is unfortunate. Mamata Banerjee, who takes oath of office today, should be magnanimous in victory and immediately ask party workers to cease and desist from carrying out these vengeful acts. She has proved decisively that an overwhelming majority of the people of the state are with her. Hence, there is no need to try and subjugate the few who hold an opposing political view. This violence gives her party and the state a bad name and must end forthwith.
On the other hand, the BJP is overreacting. It is painting the violence as a complete breakdown of law and order in the state. The Prime Minister has spoken to the state Governor. BJP president J P Nadda is camping in Kolkata and visiting party workers who were attacked. The party is right in trying to protect its workers. But there are rumours of the state being put under President's rule. Even Mamata has speculated on this. That would be a grave mistake. The people of the state have rejected the BJP and voted for the TMC. While the TMC government has a constitutional duty of protecting the citizens from violence, there is absolutely no need of President's rule. One is sure the new government will bring things under control.
