New Delhi | CPI general secretary D Raja on Sunday condemned the continuing incidents of post-election violence in West Bengal and said physical attacks on elected representatives and vandalism have no place in a democracy.
His remarks came a day after Trinamool Congress (TMC) national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee was attacked during his visit to the families affected by post-poll violence in West Bengal's Sonarpur area.
Meanwhile, TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee also claimed he suffered head injuries after being mobbed in front of a police station he visited in West Bengal's Hooghly district on Sunday. He had reached the police station to submit a memorandum against the arrest of party workers after the assembly elections.
"The continuing incidents of post-election violence in West Bengal are deeply disturbing and deserve unequivocal condemnation. Physical attacks on elected public representatives and acts of vandalism have no place in a democracy. Elections are meant to reflect the will of the people, not become an occasion for settling political scores through violence," Raja said in a post on X.
He said the atmosphere in the state had remained highly charged during and after the election campaign.
"The BJP, which is now responsible for maintaining law and order, cannot evade accountability. Reports of its own supporters indulging in violent acts, attacking political party offices and vandalising public symbols like the statue of Lenin are a matter of serious concern," the CPI leader said.
Raja said the government must act impartially, restore peace and ensure that all those responsible, irrespective of political affiliation, are brought to justice.
Abhishek Banerjee, TMC national general secretary and MP, was roughed up on Saturday in the South 24 Parganas district. Stones, shoes and eggs were hurled at him by unidentified people who allegedly attempted to assault him while shouting slogans, according to police.
The Diamond Harbour MP was later seen being escorted from the area wearing a police helmet and with his shirt torn.
The incident triggered sharp political reactions, with opposition parties raising concerns over the law and order situation in the state and the continuing cycle of post-election violence.
