Sporadic violence in third phase of West Bengal Assembly elections

Incidents of sporadic violence took place on Tuesday in the third phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections when 31 seats in three districts went to the polls. Even before the polling started, Madhabi Adak, the mother of a BJP worker in the Hooghly district was allegedly assaulted by TMC cadres late on Monday night, who later succumbed to her injuries. Till 5 pm, 77.68 per cent of votes were polled.

TMC candidate Najmul Khan was allegedly assaulted by BJP cadres in the Khanakul area of the Hooghly district. Khan said that the assault took place when he reached a polling booth upon receiving information that BJP workers were obstructing voters. Later, central forces escorted him out of the area.

Later in the day, a TMC candidate from the Arambagh Assembly seat in Hooghly Sujata Mondal Khan was allegedly assaulted by BJP workers. Khan, the estranged wife of BJP MP Soumitra Khan said that she sustained head injuries during the assault. A video footage aired by local news channels showed Khan being chased by alleged BJP workers wielding bamboo sticks. Khan and her security guard sustained injuries in the attack. Denying the allegation, local BJP leadership said that it was Khan and her associates who assaulted villagers. The Election Commission (EC) sought a report on the incident.

Meanwhile, TMC candidate Nirmal Majhi alleged that he was heckled by BJP workers and his vehicle was vandalised. The vehicle of the BJP candidate from Falta was allegedly vandalised by TMC cadres.

BJP candidate from the Diamond Harbor constituency in the South 24 Paraganas district Dipak Haldar alleged that TMC cadres were stopping voters. “TMC goons are not allowing voters to go to the polling booths and the central forces have not done much to change the situation,” said Haldar who joined the BJP from the TMC ahead of the Assembly elections. However, later a large contingent of central forces entered the related villages to convince the voters. The TMC leadership denied the allegations.

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TMC candidate Ashima Patra alleged that the Central forces were not performing their duties properly and BJP cadres were threatening voters not to go to polling booths

The TMC alleged that in the Canning East Assembly seat supporters of the Indian Secular Front (ISF) hurled crude bombs where one person was injured. The ISF leadership denied the allegation. Local TMC leaders staged a road blockade in protest against the incident.

TMC supremo and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged that the central forces were being used to influence voters.

“The blatant misuse of Central forces continues unabated. Despite us repeatedly raising this issue, @ECISVEEP continues to be a mute spectator while men in uniform are being misused at several places to openly intimidate TMC voters & influence many to vote in favour of one party,” tweeted Mamata.