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Central forces being misused to intimidate TMC voters, says Mamata

The TMC has already raised multiple complaints regarding the third phase of polling

west-bengal-3phase-voting-salil Voters stand in queue to cast their vote in the third phase of polling in the West Bengal Assembly elections | Salil Bera

The Trinamool Congress is continuing its allegations that Central paramilitary forces are being misused to coerce voters in West Bengal to choose the BJP.

In January, a TMC delegation met the Election Commission and claimed personnel of the Border Security Force were "threatening" residents of border areas to vote in favour of the BJP.

Similar complaints were made in the first two phases of voting in the ongoing West Bengal Assembly polls.

On Tuesday, when 31 seats in West Bengal are voting, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee took to Twitter to complain about the functioning of Central forces and alleged the Election Commission was being a "mute spectator".

Banerjee tweeted, "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."

Banerjee shared a video clip of a news channel from Goghat constituency in Hooghly district, in which people allege Central forces were preventing voters from entering stations.

The TMC has already raised multiple complaints regarding the third phase of polling.

At Goghat, the TMC alleged BJP activists were creating a ruckus and threatening TMC staff.

At Bishnupur in South 24 Parganas district, the TMC alleged BJP activists had made a barricade and were blocking voters from casting votes.

The TMC claimed the CPI(M) had set up a camp within 200 metres’ distance of the booth.

At Satgachia constituency in South 24 Parganas district, TMC alleged a CRPF jawan had beaten up a polling agent and seriously injured him.

However, the BJP has responded to the complaints by claiming the TMC had mobilised its women activists to confront the Central forces in Hooghly and South 24 Parganas districts.

In Diamond Harbour constituency in South 24 Parganas district, BJP candidate Dipak Haldar complained TMC "goons" were not allowing people to vote in two booths. However, local police officials said the election in the area was being "conducted in a free and fair manner", ANI reported

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