The second phase of polling which took place yesterday in parts of West Bengal was one of the most violent elections seen by any state. The violence in Nandigram and different parts of the state is an indicator that popularity of the ruling CPI (M) party which has been in power for more than 30 years is waning. But the votes are cast. There has been unprecedented polling, more than 75% overall and 86% in Nandigram alone. This election is truly a testing ground for Mamata Banerjee and her Trinamool Congress which is riding on the wave of change. Unfortunately pre-poll, during polls and post poll violence shows that election in West Bengal is a gory battlefield.

All eyes were on Nandigram during the second phase of election. Nandigram has been a battlefield for rivals CPI (M) and Trinamool Congress for more than year. Nandigram came in to limelight last year when the anti-land acquisition movement by peasants and farmers created history and ruling party had to roll back its land acquisition plans and shift the SEZ project.

CPI (M) began to lose ground in villages in Nandigram when it tried using muscle power to gag the agitating farmers. The ground was never to be regained again. This election gave another opportunity to CPI (M) to assert party dominance in this nerve center. The battlefield was expected to erupt again during polls and it did.

It is indeed a shame that in a democratic country people have to risk and lose their lives to exercise their democratic right and vote for the party they trust. Even if they do, they have to face the brunt of political party hooligans even after votes are cast.