Trinamool Congress spokesperson Derek O'Brien justifies the spiraling violence in the West Bengal panchayat polls which saw three dead and several injured.


O 'Brien tweeted an explanation for the violence saying, "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?


"CPI(M) and BJP are now so desperate that they are even ganging up with Maoists to kill/shoot/stab three Trinamool workers in different incidents in #Bengal today. Deliberately trying to foment trouble. Is this democracy? #PanchayatElection."


A couple was burnt to death at their home in South 24 Parganas district early today, hours before panchayat polls were to being in West Bengal, police said. Family members of the victims, stated to be a CPI(M)
worker and his wife, alleged that goons of the ruling Trinamool Congress set fire to the house at  Kachharabari locality of Kakdwip at around 1 am.


A Trinamool Congress worker was shot dead in the Kultali area of West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district in poll-related violence even as voting continues in the state.


TMC's Partha Chatterjee called the incidents minor. "No major incidents have been reported. Administration is active in places where such clashes have taken place. Voting is being conducted peaceful. I strongly condemn the attack on journalists."


Five local journalists have also been injured during violence after booth capturing in West Bengal's Birpara town, allegedly by TMC workers.


Earlier in the day, ballot papers were thrown in a pond after a fresh clash that broke out between TMC and Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) in West Bengal's Murshidabad town following which the voting had been stopped for now.


@AITCofficial, the TMC's official Twitter handle went a step further and alleged that news agency ANI was spreading rumours. "Why is @ANI spreading rumours and amplifying a few, sporadic, local incidents? We learn that local ANI reporters and stringers getting direct instructions from their bosses in Delhi to shame #Bengal. Agenda driven news-gathering," @AITCofficial tweeted.


Union Minister Babul Supriyo, said he was not surprised by all the incidents that are happening. "Bengal govt is a shameless govt, you cannot expect them to follow any kind of constitutional behaviour. I demand President's Rule in WB."


Image: A local journalist is being treated at a hospital in the midst of the panchayat polls in Bengal. Five local journalists were injured in the violence.