Bengal Panchayat poll violence 'a murder of democracy': PM

He said from the nomination to casting votes, not only the BJP party workers, even the common people were bullied in the State.

"The Panchayat Elections in West Bengal was nothing but a murder of democracy. From the nomination stage to the day of polling, where was the spirit of democracy? People were bullied. People were disallowed to file nominations also. It is not only BJP people who suffered. People from all the leading parties except the one that rules Bengal suffered and this is serious," PM Modi said.

He also asserted, "A great land as West Bengal of great people, has to see such sights, it is unfortunate. It is not about who wins polls...all those who are democratic-minded, including friends in civil society, they must come together to strengthen the democratic spirit. We cannot see things only in partisan terms."

At least 14 people have died and scores were injured in the panchayat election violence in the state on Monday and that has prompted the Union Home ministry to seek a report from the state government. Approx 72.5 percent votes were polled across the state till the end of polling the evening.

Of the 14 dead, 5 were CPM supporters, 4 were TMC workers, 2 BJP and 2 independent candidate supporters and one was a voter. The deaths were reported from eight of the 20 districts that went to an election. Reports of rigging and vandalisation of ballot boxes were reported from several districts.