Violence broke out in several parts of West Bengal on Saturday as the seventh and final phase of the Lok Sabha elections were held in the state. While crude bombs were hurled as clashes broke out between party workers in Jadavpur constituency, a reserve electronic voting machine (EVM)was reportedly thrown into the water by a mob in South 24 Parganas district.
At Bhangar in Jadavpur constituency, a clash broke out between supporters of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Indian Secular Front (ISF). Crude bombs were also hurled by the supporters of both parties. When the police reached the spot, protests broke out as both parties hurled allegations against each other and the police had to resort to a lathi charge to disperse the mob. Some crude bombs were also recovered from the area.
At booth numbers 40 and 41 in Kultali in South 24 Parganas district, an EVM and voter verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) machine were reportedly thrown into the water. However, the Election Commission said that they were reserve machines.
“The polling process has not been vitiated. Those which were kept in reserve were thrown in water. We have sought a report from the presiding officer,” said a senior EC official.
At Cossipore in Kolkata Uttar constituency, BJP candidate Tapas Roy faced protests from TMC workers after he visited some polling booths. He was also subjected to ‘go back’ slogans.
Meanwhile, at Bermajur area in Sandeshkhali, the BJP alleged that TMC workers and policemen threatened its polling agents Friday night after visiting their homes. Sharing video clips, the party said the women of Sandeshkhali have once again protested the TMC government’s move to terrorise the people ahead of the last phase of elections.
“The brave women of #Sandeshkhali have chased away corrupt and compromised West Bengal Police. Our women leaders are speaking to them and each one of them will vote against the tyranny of Mamata Banerjee. This is a fight like none other and will be taken to logical conclusion,” BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya wrote in a post on X.
Polling in the seventh and last phase of Lok Sabha elections is being held in nine seats in West Bengal amid tight security arrangements. Voting is on in Dum Dum, Barasat, Basirhat, Jaynagar, Mathurapur, Diamond Harbour, Jadavpur, Kolkata Dakshin and Kolkata Uttar seats.
A total of 1.63 crore voters, including 83.19 lakh men, 80.20 lakh women and 538 persons of the third gender, are eligible to exercise their franchise at 17,470 polling stations.
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
First uploaded on: 01-06-2024 at 09:38 IST
