Kolkata: Sporadic violence, including clashes between TMC and BJP workers and an attack on a saffron party candidate, marred the sixth phase of Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal, where 77.99 per cent voting was recorded till 5 pm.
Till 4 pm, the Election Commission had received 1,985 complaints alleging obstruction of agents from entering the booths due to malfunctioning of EVMs.
TMC, Congress and BJP each filed hundreds of complaints related to poll violence, voter intimidation and attacks on agents. Despite these issues, the Election Commission said that "except for two incidents, polling remained peaceful". Chief Electoral Officer Ariz Aftab said, "A total of 318 people have been arrested for their alleged involvement in various incidents.,
He said that Bishnupur recorded the highest turnout of 81.47 percent, followed by Tamlu (79.79), Jhargram (79.68), Ghatal (78.92), Medinipur (77.57), Bankura (76.79), Kanthi (75.66) and Purulia (74.09).
Voting began at 7 am and was to end at 6 pm. The source suggested that turnout may have increased as long queues were seen outside polling stations. In the 2019 elections, Bishnupur, Jhargram, Bankura, Purulia and Medinipur were won by BJP, while TMC won Ghatal, Tamluk and Kanthi. Had captured.
In 2019, Bishnupur, Jhargram, Bankura, Purulia and Medinipur recorded 87, 85, 83, 82 and 84 percent voting respectively.Voter turnout in Tamluk, Kanthi and Ghatal was 85, 85 and 82 percent respectively. ,
Sporadic incidents of violence were reported from different areas. BJP's Jhargara candidate Pranat Tudu said his convoy was attacked in Garbeta area of West Medinipur district, following which the security personnel accompanying him were injured and had to be admitted to hospital. Tudu also suffered injuries on his forehead, which required medical attention. The incident occurred when Tudu was going to Garhbeta in response to complaints of BJP agents not being allowed entry inside some polling stations."Suddenly, the TMC goons blocking the roads started throwing bricks at my car. When my security personnel tried to intervene, they were injured. Two CISF jawans accompanying me suffered head injuries and were taken to hospital. Had to be admitted. He was also injured." Tudu said.
He said that if central forces were not present, "I would have been murdered by TMC goons.“A large police contingent was sent to the area to control the situation.
The local TMC leadership denied the allegations and accused Tudu of attempting to "spoil the peaceful polling process". A local TMC leader said, "The BJP candidate was threatening voters. He attacked a woman voter when she was waiting in the queue to cast her vote. The villagers became angry and protested.,
Vehicles of various media houses were reportedly vandalized by the mob. Tudu's convoy was pelted with stones, damaging the cars of some security personnel. The Election Commission sought an action taken report on the incident. Clashes broke out between supporters of the ruling TMC and BJP in Ghata over stopping polling agents from entering booths. BJP candidate Hira Chatterjee claimed that TMC "goons" were creating obstacles in the voting process.“Our booth agents are not allowed to sit inside the booth,” he alleged.
BJP workers also protested on the road in the area and set tires on fire.
However, sitting TMC MP Deepak Adhikari, who is seeking re-election from the seat, rejected the allegations. In Keshpur area of the constituency, BJP workers staged a sit-in and burnt tires to protest against alleged malpractices.
Sporadic incidents of violence were also reported from different parts of Kanthi, with BJP workers protesting against central forces and accusing them of attacking voters.
BJP candidate Soumendu Adhikari claimed, “TMC and central forces are working against us.They are beating up your party supporters."In Medinipur, BJP candidate Agnimitra Paul faced "go back" slogans from TM workers, leading to a clash between BJP and TMC workers, after which central forces dispersed the crowd. Dispersed.
Meanwhile, when BJP candidate and former Calcutta High Court judge Abhijit Gangopadhyay reached a polling booth in Tamluk, a group of people raised slogans against him.
Gangopadhyay, who staged a protest for a few hours to protest against alleged malpractices, said, “In many areas, TMC did not allow free and fair elections to be held. I am not at all satisfied with the voting."We have taken cognizance of the matter and a report has been sought from the presiding officer," an official said.
In Bankura, BJP candidate and Union Minister Subhash Sarkar faced protests while visiting a booth in the area.
A Trinamool Congress worker was killed by unidentified people in Mahishadal in East Medinipur district on Friday night, police said. They said the deceased has been identified as Sheikh Moibul, who was a member of the local panchay committee.
West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee slammed the BJP for starting a "reign of terrorism" and said, "People will give a befitting reply to the saffron camp for spreading terror.,
Senior TMC leader and minister Bratya Basu said that despite attempts to manipulate the elections, "TMC will win in the sixth phase." State BJP spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya demanded the immediate removal of CE Ariz Aftab and said, "CEO office defunct. And TMC is giving free rein to the goons."
“The violence unleashed by TM and the inability of the CEO to ensure free and fair elections is not reflecting the mandate of the people,” he said."
Till 4 pm, the Election Commission had received 1,985 complaints alleging obstruction of agents from entering the booths due to malfunctioning of EVMs.
TMC, Congress and BJP each filed hundreds of complaints related to poll violence, voter intimidation and attacks on agents. Despite these issues, the Election Commission said that "except for two incidents, polling remained peaceful". Chief Electoral Officer Ariz Aftab said, "A total of 318 people have been arrested for their alleged involvement in various incidents.,
He said that Bishnupur recorded the highest turnout of 81.47 percent, followed by Tamlu (79.79), Jhargram (79.68), Ghatal (78.92), Medinipur (77.57), Bankura (76.79), Kanthi (75.66) and Purulia (74.09).
Voting began at 7 am and was to end at 6 pm. The source suggested that turnout may have increased as long queues were seen outside polling stations. In the 2019 elections, Bishnupur, Jhargram, Bankura, Purulia and Medinipur were won by BJP, while TMC won Ghatal, Tamluk and Kanthi. Had captured.
In 2019, Bishnupur, Jhargram, Bankura, Purulia and Medinipur recorded 87, 85, 83, 82 and 84 percent voting respectively.Voter turnout in Tamluk, Kanthi and Ghatal was 85, 85 and 82 percent respectively. ,
Sporadic incidents of violence were reported from different areas. BJP's Jhargara candidate Pranat Tudu said his convoy was attacked in Garbeta area of West Medinipur district, following which the security personnel accompanying him were injured and had to be admitted to hospital. Tudu also suffered injuries on his forehead, which required medical attention. The incident occurred when Tudu was going to Garhbeta in response to complaints of BJP agents not being allowed entry inside some polling stations."Suddenly, the TMC goons blocking the roads started throwing bricks at my car. When my security personnel tried to intervene, they were injured. Two CISF jawans accompanying me suffered head injuries and were taken to hospital. Had to be admitted. He was also injured." Tudu said.
He said that if central forces were not present, "I would have been murdered by TMC goons.“A large police contingent was sent to the area to control the situation.
The local TMC leadership denied the allegations and accused Tudu of attempting to "spoil the peaceful polling process". A local TMC leader said, "The BJP candidate was threatening voters. He attacked a woman voter when she was waiting in the queue to cast her vote. The villagers became angry and protested.,
Vehicles of various media houses were reportedly vandalized by the mob. Tudu's convoy was pelted with stones, damaging the cars of some security personnel. The Election Commission sought an action taken report on the incident. Clashes broke out between supporters of the ruling TMC and BJP in Ghata over stopping polling agents from entering booths. BJP candidate Hira Chatterjee claimed that TMC "goons" were creating obstacles in the voting process.“Our booth agents are not allowed to sit inside the booth,” he alleged.
BJP workers also protested on the road in the area and set tires on fire.
However, sitting TMC MP Deepak Adhikari, who is seeking re-election from the seat, rejected the allegations. In Keshpur area of the constituency, BJP workers staged a sit-in and burnt tires to protest against alleged malpractices.
Sporadic incidents of violence were also reported from different parts of Kanthi, with BJP workers protesting against central forces and accusing them of attacking voters.
BJP candidate Soumendu Adhikari claimed, “TMC and central forces are working against us.They are beating up your party supporters."In Medinipur, BJP candidate Agnimitra Paul faced "go back" slogans from TM workers, leading to a clash between BJP and TMC workers, after which central forces dispersed the crowd. Dispersed.
Meanwhile, when BJP candidate and former Calcutta High Court judge Abhijit Gangopadhyay reached a polling booth in Tamluk, a group of people raised slogans against him.
Gangopadhyay, who staged a protest for a few hours to protest against alleged malpractices, said, “In many areas, TMC did not allow free and fair elections to be held. I am not at all satisfied with the voting."We have taken cognizance of the matter and a report has been sought from the presiding officer," an official said.
In Bankura, BJP candidate and Union Minister Subhash Sarkar faced protests while visiting a booth in the area.
A Trinamool Congress worker was killed by unidentified people in Mahishadal in East Medinipur district on Friday night, police said. They said the deceased has been identified as Sheikh Moibul, who was a member of the local panchay committee.
West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee slammed the BJP for starting a "reign of terrorism" and said, "People will give a befitting reply to the saffron camp for spreading terror.,
Senior TMC leader and minister Bratya Basu said that despite attempts to manipulate the elections, "TMC will win in the sixth phase." State BJP spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya demanded the immediate removal of CE Ariz Aftab and said, "CEO office defunct. And TMC is giving free rein to the goons."
“The violence unleashed by TM and the inability of the CEO to ensure free and fair elections is not reflecting the mandate of the people,” he said."
