Panchayat polls shouldn’t be a repeat of 2018: Abhishek Banerjee

TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Monday warned party workers against forcing Opposition leaders to not contest the upcoming panchayat elections and said there should not be a repeat of the 2018 rural polls, where widespread violence was reported in the state, a party leader said.

Banerjee made the statement while addressing TMC district chiefs in a virtual meeting. A party leader said, “Abhishek Banerjee said the party brass will finalise the lists of candidates for the panchayat elections after reviewing the lists sent by TMC’s district units. He said the lists sent by district units were not final as many of the candidates are facing corruption charges.”

“He said during the 2018 panchayat polls, at many places, TMC leaders forced Opposition candidates to not file nominations or withdraw them. Because of that the party lost many seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. He asked party leaders to ensure that there is no repeat of 2018,” the party leader added.

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According to TMC sources, the Diamond Harbour MP said the party will take stern action against those who try to “forcefully win the panchayat elections”.

“Abhishek Banerjee also said panchayats are not a place to do corruption. Leaders should take care that the party doesn’t have to bear the consequences of their personal interest,” the leader said.