Sporadic incidents of Mar Bengal Bypolls riots, TMC worker killed near Naihati constituency

Latest update:November 13, 2024, 5:32 PM IST

Suvendu Adhikari alleged that BJP workers faced threats at several booths, a claim dismissed by the TMC as an attempt to discredit its position in the polls

TMC leader Ashok Shaw was shot several times by assailants who also threw bombs.

Sporadic incidents of unrest marred the elections in West Bengal, with local TMC worker Ashok Shaw killed in a crude bomb attack in Bhatpara, an area adjacent to the polling constituency of Naihati.

The attack sparked political accusations of voter intimidation in the ongoing by-election. The Office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) requested a report on the incident.

The incident sparked an immediate political backlash, with BJP leader Arjun Singh accusing the TMC of using scare tactics to instill fear among voters in Naihat and other constituencies.

Local TMC legislator Somnath Shyam from the Jagatdal assembly seat refrained from making statements, saying an investigation was underway to determine the circumstances behind the attack.

Voting in the by-elections in Sithai, Madarihat, Naihati, Haroa, Medinipur and Taldangra constituencies was largely peaceful, with over 45 percent voter turnout recorded till 1 p.m., according to the CEO’s office.

According to the survey, 41 complaints were received till 9 am, including 16 from the BJP.

The BJP and the opposition have accused TMC workers of intimidation of voters in various areas, including Haroa, Madarihat, Sithai and Taldangra districts. The ruling party of the state called the allegations baseless.

Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari alleged that “BJP workers were facing threats in several booths at different places”, a claim which the TMC dismissed as an attempt to discredit its poll position.

TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh termed the allegations as “baseless” and said opposition parties were fabricating narratives to undermine the ruling party’s electoral prospects.

“TMC workers are dying, and the opposition blames us. The BJP and the opposition are trying to unleash violence during the elections,” he said.

BJP candidate Rahul Lohar’s car was reportedly vandalized in Madarihat.

Sources said Rahul had gone to Mujnai, under Madarihat gram panchayat, to meet BJP workers when he faced protests from Trinamool Congress (TMC) supporters. Sources added that his car was blocked and stones were allegedly thrown at him.

TMC supporters alleged that BJP MP and former MP Manoj Tigga has not been seen in the area for the past five years and no development work has been done. Lohar also faced “Go back” chants from the crowd.

Tension flared at a booth in Sitaya, Cooch Behar, following allegations that two buttons on the EVM machine were taped shut.

BJP candidate Deepak Roy said a tape covering the first two buttons on the EVM was found at the polling booth at Hokdah Adabari SSK Primary School.

Roy accused the presiding officer and other polling station workers of negligence, saying, “This is a serious violation of the election process.” He then entered the booth himself and removed the tape from the EVM, leading to commotion inside the booth. As the sources added, a heated conversation broke out between Roy and the chairman.

The Trinamool Congress, however, maintained that the voting was peaceful until the arrival of the BJP candidate, which they said disrupted the process and accused him of creating trouble.

Meanwhile, the Indian Secular Front (ISF), which has one MLA in the state assembly and is contesting the Haroa seat as a Left Front-backed candidate, also reported interference, alleging that TMC workers prevented its election agents from entering certain booths in Haroa.

The ISF accusations added to the tense atmosphere, with both the opposition and members of the ruling party exchanging accusations throughout the day.

108 companies of the Central Police Force were deployed to ensure a peaceful election process.

The survey reported an average voter turnout across Bengal’s six constituencies of 45.59 percent, with Taldangra leading with 49 percent, followed by Haroa with 47.10 percent, Medinipur with 46.24 percent, Madarihat with 46.18 percent, Sithai with 45 percent. percent, and Naihati – 39.12 percent.

The CPI(M)-led Left Front and the Congress are contesting the by-elections separately for the first time since 2021 following the recent leadership change of the Bengal Congress.

The Left Front has announced candidates for five of the six seats, including one candidate from the CPI(ML). The Congress has fielded candidates in all the six assembly segments.

Counting of votes will take place on November 23.

(This story was not edited by News18 staff and was published from the syndicated news agency channel – PTI)

Arrangement:

West Bengal, India