NEW DELHI: The second phase of high-stakes assembly elections in West Bengal kicked off with incidents of violence and allegations of voter intimidation and technical glitches.Incidents of violence and vandalism were reported from several parts of West Bengal during the early hours of voting, including Chapra, Shantipur, Nimtala and Bhangar, West Bengal Police said.
‘Observers acting as per BJP’s directions’West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee visited various booths in her Bhabanipur assembly constituency, where she faces Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari in a prestige battle seen as a symbolic rematch of Nandigram, where he had defeated her in 2021.While talking to reporters, Mamata claimed that “several observers have come from outside and are acting as per the BJP’s directions.”“People are supposed to cast their votes. Can voting take place like this?” she asked.She also alleged that all their party flags had been removed beforehand and that some outsiders are acting at will.“They are not allowing the councillor of Ward No. 70 to step out. They are picking up all our boys. Abhishek and I stayed awake the entire night,” Mamata said.BJP agent assaultedThe BJP accused “miscreants linked to the ruling TMC” of assaulting a polling agent in Chapra in Nadia district. A senior police officer said the person, identified as Mosharef Mir, was admitted to a local hospital.BJP candidate Saikat Sarkar said the incident took place after the mock poll began.“TMC supporters obstructed the BJP agent and hit him on the head, causing injury,” Sarkar said.A complaint has been lodged with the local police station, though the TMC denied the allegations.The injured person said that 15–16 TMC supporters attacked him, with one person allegedly carrying a gun. He said he was assaulted with a rod, following which he collapsed on the ground.BJP camp office vandalisedMeanwhile, in Shantipur, a BJP camp office in Ward No. 16 was found vandalised, triggering tension in the area, police said.In Bhangar in South 24 Parganas district, allegations surfaced that an ISF agent was prevented from entering a polling booth, sparking unrest.ISF leader Arabul Islam claimed, “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.”Voting was delayed at Booth No. 140 in Nimtala, where polling had not begun even by 7:30 am, leading to tension among voters.
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“We have sought reports from the respective officials posted in these areas. They have been asked to ensure that polling is free and fair and everyone can participate without intimidation,” an official from the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) said.Meanwhile, police issued a warning to Kartik Banerjee, brother of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, as well as TMC workers who gathered near a polling booth, stating that no more than four people would be allowed to assemble at a spot, officials said.
