The number of deaths in panchayat poll-related violence rose to 48 with five more casualties in Nadia, Murshidabad and East Burdwan districts between Sunday night and Monday night.

In Nadia, Sukur Ali Seikh, an elderly CPM supporter, died of injuries at the Nadia district hospital in Krishnagar on Monday. He was the father-in-law of a CPM candidate, and had been allegedly beaten up by Trinamul-backed goons.

Maidul Sheikh, a Trinamul worker from Barshimul-Char Bajitpur village of Raghunathganj-II block in Murshidabad, died at NRS Medical College Hospital in Calcutta. Sources said Maidul was injured when goons hurled a bomb at him.

Trinamul’s Murshidabad leader Kanai Mondal said: “BJP-backed attacked Maidul because he tried to prevent looting of votes at Char Bajitpur, an isolated place located close to the Bangladesh border.”

As the news spread, Trinamul supporters ransacked and torched at least 20 houses of BJP supporters. BJP supporters set fire to about 25 houses of Trinamul supporters.

Trinamul supporter Sirajul Seikh, who received a bullet on poll day, died at the Murshidabad Medical College and Hospital in Behrampore late on Sunday night.

CPM worker Pulok Sarkar, who suffered injuries on poll day at a booth in East Burdwan’s Ketugram, died at NRS Hospital in Calcutta on Monday evening.

The body of Ashtam Mandal, a BJP worker from Nadia’s Panditpur, was found in a jute field on Monday. The BJP accused Trinamul-backed goons. BJP leader Mahadeb Sarkar demanded a CBI probe. Trinamul has denied the charge.