"Bengal Rural Poll Violence: Death Toll Rises, BJP Seeks Intervention"
At least 16 people were killed and several injured in violent clashes during the rural polls in West Bengal. The violence occurred across seven districts, with the highest number of casualties in Murshidabad. The ruling party, Trinamool Congress, suffered the most losses, with nine of its workers killed. The lack of central forces and meaningful deployment was blamed for the escalation of violence. The state election commissioner and central force seniors were accused of failing to control the situation. The opposition parties criticized the commissioner for his alleged failure, while the Trinamool Congress claimed that the allegations of widespread violence were exaggerated.