Incidents of violence and vandalism were reported in several constituencies during the early hours of voting for the second phase of assembly elections in West Bengal on Wednesday.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alleged that one of its polling agents was assaulted by “TMC miscreants” at booth number 53 in Chapra, Nadia district. The injured agent, identified as Mosharef Mir, was admitted to a local hospital.
BJP candidate Saikat Sarkar said the attack occurred after mock polling began. “TMC supporters obstructed the BJP agent and hit him on the head, causing injury,” he said.
Mir stated that he was attacked by a group of 15–16 TMC supporters and that he was collapsed following the assault. He also claimed that one of the attackers had carried a gun.
Tensions also prevailed in Shantipur after a BJP camp office in ward number 16 was vandalised. In Bhangar, South 24 Parganas, unrest erupted after an ISF agent was allegedly prevented from entering a polling booth.
“Agents’ forms are being snatched and they are being thrown out… Women are not being allowed to vote. We placed agents so that everyone can vote,” ISF leader Arabul Islam was quoted as saying by PTI.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee leveled fresh allegations against central forces and polling officials.
“CRPF… There is a court order, but they are saying they will not obey it. We have issued a contempt of court notice, yet so many observers have come from outside. Whatever the BJP says, they are doing. Just look around, all our posters have been removed,” she said.
“Is this how polls take place? Votes will be cast by voters, not by the police or security forces. Some new people have recently been brought in, and they are doing whatever they want. They are doing terrorism,” Banerjee added.
