Violent clashes erupted during local elections in West Bengal on Saturday, resulting in the deaths of at least seven people and leaving dozens injured. The state has a history of political violence during election campaigns, and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been actively seeking to expand its presence in the region, which has been traditionally dominated by the Communist Party.
Voters are currently participating in municipal elections, with over 200,000 candidates vying for leadership positions across the state, which is home to a population of 104 million people. Jawed Shamim, the additional director general of West Bengal’s police force, confirmed that seven people were killed and numerous others were wounded in poll-related violence across different villages in the state.
