“Bengal Poll Violence: Victim of Tragic Incident in Sixth Phase”

By Trend News Line 2024-05-25 21:53:45.

Violence Erupts in West Bengal During Lok Sabha Elections

In the Jhargram Lok Sabha seat in West Bengal, chaos ensued as BJP candidate Pranat Tudu and his security personnel found themselves under attack from a mob allegedly affiliated with the Trinamool Congress. Stones and bricks were hurled at them, forcing them to flee for their safety.

Clashes Mar Lok Sabha Elections in West Bengal

The sixth phase of Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal was marred by clashes between Trinamool Congress activists and BJP supporters. Eight Lok Sabha seats were up for grabs, including Tamluk, Kanthi, Ghatal, Jhargram, Medinipur, Purulia, Bankura, and Bishnupur. BJP leaders accused Trinamool Congress activists of preventing their agents from accessing the polling booths.

BJP Faces Protests and Roadblocks

In 2019, the BJP had secured victory in five of the eight seats contested during this phase. However, Trinamool Congress managed to clinch three seats, including Tamluk and Kanthi. These constituencies were considered strongholds of Suvendu Adhikari and his family, who have since switched allegiance to the BJP. Abhijit Gangopadhyay, a former High Court judge and BJP candidate in Tamluk, has emerged as a formidable opponent for the Trinamool Congress.

Violent Incidents Reported Across Constituencies

Instances of violence were reported in various constituencies, with BJP candidates facing protests and obstruction from Trinamool Congress activists. In Garbeta under the Jhargram Lok Sabha seat, Pranat Tudu and his security team were forced to flee as they were attacked by a mob, resulting in injuries to one of the security personnel. The Trinamool Congress, however, claimed that Tudu and his team had assaulted a woman attempting to cast her vote.

Allegations of Electoral Malpractice

Ghatal BJP candidate Hiran Chatterjee highlighted the challenges faced by BJP candidates due to the disruptive actions of Trinamool Congress members. He accused them of obstructing the voting process and preventing BJP booth agents from fulfilling their duties. Similar incidents were reported in Medinipur, where BJP candidate Agnimitra Paul encountered obstacles while trying to access polling booths.

Accusations and Counterclaims

BJP’s Tamluk candidate Abhijit Gangopadhyay expressed dissatisfaction with the conduct of Bengal police personnel, accusing them of aiding the Trinamool Congress in practices such as false voting and booth jamming. On the other hand, Debangshu Bhattacharya, the Trinamool Congress candidate in Tamluk, alleged that BJP supporters had engaged in voter intimidation and sabotage.

Tragic Incidents Mar Election Process

Reports of violence continued to emerge, with one person losing their life in Mahishadal due to a brutal attack. The victim, Sheikh Maibul, was tragically killed, and the authorities have detained five individuals in connection with the incident. This marked the second murder within a span of 72 hours in Tamluk, following the tragic death of a BJP female worker earlier in the week.

Challenges Faced by Election Commission

As the Election Commission worked to oversee the voting process, they received numerous complaints of EVM malfunctions and allegations of agents being prevented from entering polling booths. Despite scattered incidents of violence, the voter turnout in the eight Lok Sabha constituencies stood at 77.9% by 5 pm.

Amidst the chaos and tensions gripping West Bengal during the Lok Sabha elections, the democratic process faced severe challenges, with accusations and counterclaims highlighting the volatile nature of the political landscape in the region..

– Poll violence sweeps Bengal seats
– Violence in Bengal seats during sixth phase.