Publication

This paper discusses the implications of elections for the panchayat, or local district administration, in West Bengal. The author argues that the elections which took place in July 2013, and which were won by the governing Trinamool Congress Party, provide evidence that the 'popular wave' that swept the party to power in 2011 remains intact in rural Bengal. However, despite security arrangements, the elections were marred by violence, casualties and allegations of malpractice.