Violence Mars Third Phase of Lok Sabha Polls in West Bengal
Third Phase of Lok Sabha Polls in West Bengal Marred by Violence
West Bengal - The third phase of the Lok Sabha polls in West Bengal was marred by sporadic incidents of violence on Tuesday. Clashes erupted between workers of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and the Congress-CPI(M) alliance in various parts of Murshidabad and Jangipur constituencies.
The parties lodged separate complaints related to poll violence, voter intimidation, and assaults on poll agents within the first few hours of polling. The Election Commission (EC) received 182 complaints by 9 am, most of which were from Murshidabad and Jangipur constituencies.
According to officials, around 32.82 per cent polling was reported till 11 am, with Jangipur recording the highest turnout of 33.81 per cent, followed by Maldaha Dakshin (33.09), Murshidabad (32.72), and Maldaha Uttar (31.73). Additionally, 29.39 per cent voting was recorded in the assembly bypoll in Murshidabad’s Bhagawangola.
In the Murshidabad seat, Left-Congress combine candidate Mohammed Salim claimed that he caught hold of a “fake booth agent” in Rabinagar area of the constituency. He was greeted with “go back” slogans as he tried to enter a booth following allegations of CPI(M) booth agents being heckled by alleged TMC goons.
“The TMC has unleashed a reign of terror in the entire constituency. Strict action must be taken by the Election Commission,” Salim said.
In Jangipur area, BJP candidate Dhanajoy Ghosh faced protests by TMC cadres as he tried to enter some of the booths in the constituency. “If such hooliganism continues, there could be a rerun of Cooch Behar’s Sitalkuchi incident,” he said, referring to the 2021 assembly polls incident when four persons were killed after central forces opened fire to control a mob.
The TMC has complained to the EC against Ghosh, accusing him of intimidating voters. In Englishbazar area, the BJP accused the TMC of beating up their booth agents, similar complaints were lodged by the Congress against the state’s ruling party from Ratua area in Malda.
In some areas, TMC workers staged a protest following allegations that central forces were assisting BJP workers in intimidating voters at some booths in the Maldaha North constituency.
Altogether 73,37,651 voters, including 36,12,395 women and 154 belonging to the third gender, are eligible to exercise their franchise. Voting began at 7 am and will continue until 6 pm. The nation now awaits the results of this crucial election.
