By Trend News Line 2024-05-25 13:14:49.
Sporadic Violence Erupts in West Bengal During Sixth Phase of Elections
The sixth phase of Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal was marred by sporadic violence, with reports of clashes and unrest in various areas. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has requested reports from authorities regarding the incidents. However, no major untoward incidents were reported, and the average voter turnout was recorded at 77.9% by 5 pm, according to a poll panel official in Kolkata.
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TMC Leader Killed Before Polling Begins
In a tragic turn of events, a panchayat-level leader of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) was killed in East Midnapore district just hours before polling commenced. The victim, identified as Sheikh Maibul, was attacked with sharp weapons in Mahishadal on Friday night. The incident marked the second murder in Tamluk within 72 hours, following the killing of a BJP woman worker and the severe injury of her son, a local BJP leader.
BJP Candidate Attacked During Polling
Amidst the electoral chaos, the BJP’s candidate for Jhargram, Pranat Tudu, was reportedly attacked by TMC workers in Garbeta, West Midnapore. Footage of the incident showed Tudu fleeing amidst a barrage of stone pelting, with one security personnel sustaining injuries during the altercation. The BJP’s IT cell head, Amit Malviya, condemned the violence, accusing TMC of undermining democracy in Bengal.
Claims and Counterclaims
In response to the allegations, the TMC refuted the accusations of attacking Tudu, claiming that the BJP candidate and his security personnel had assaulted a woman attempting to cast her vote. Chandrima Bhattacharya, the state minister for health in West Bengal, condemned the attack on women and defended the actions of TMC workers in the area.
Political Tensions Escalate
The tense political atmosphere in the region was further exacerbated by confrontations between TMC and BJP supporters. In Tamluk, TMC workers staged protests against BJP candidates, including former Calcutta High Court judge, Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay. Villagers in Keshpur armed themselves with lathis and brooms to prevent BJP candidate Hiran Chatterjee from entering the village, leading to roadblocks and confrontations.
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High-Profile Candidates in the Fray
The sixth phase of elections saw 79 candidates, including prominent figures such as Abhijit Gangopadhyay, sitting MPs Locket Chatterjee, Deepak (Dev) Adhikari, Saumitra Khan, and Subhas Sarkar, as well as actor-turned-politicians like Rachna Banerjee and Hiran Chatterjee. Allegations of voter intimidation and attacks on booth agents were reported in some areas, raising concerns about the electoral process’s integrity.
Challenges and Controversies
Accusations of voter suppression and interference continued to plague the electoral landscape, with reports of EPIC card confiscation and obstruction of access to polling stations in Nandigram. TMC candidate Debangshu Bhattacharya accused BJP supporters of intimidating voters and disrupting the voting process in a bid to influence the outcome of the elections.
As the political drama unfolds in West Bengal, the escalating tensions and violence underscore the high stakes and fierce competition in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. With each phase bringing new challenges and controversies, the road to a fair and democratic electoral process remains fraught with obstacles and uncertainties..
Sporadic violence Bengal TMC leader killed polling
Sporadic violence Bengal TMC leader killed hours polling.
