TMC worker killed near Naihati constituency, around 70 per cent votes by 5pm – ThePrint – PTIFeed

Kolkata, Nov 13 (PTI) Sporadic incidents of violence, including a crude bomb blast in Bhatpara near Naihati constituency that killed a local TMC worker, marred the polls in West Bengal as voter turnout in six constituencies stood at 69.29 to 5 p.m.

The killing of local TMC worker Ashok Shaw has sparked political allegations of voter intimidation during the ongoing polls, prompting the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) to seek a report on the incident.

Local TMC legislator Somnath Shyam from the Jagatdal seat refrained from making statements, saying investigations were on to ascertain the circumstances behind the attack.

According to election commission sources, the voter turnout at 5:00 pm in Taldangra was 75.20 percent, Kharoa (73.95 percent), Medinipur (71.85 percent), Sithai (66.35 percent), Madarihat (64.14) and Naihati (62.10 percent).

According to the survey, around 80 complaints were filed, mostly by the BJP.

The BJP and other opposition parties have accused TMC workers of intimidation of voters in various areas, including Haroa, Madarihat, Sitai 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.

Union minister and BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar said the TMC had turned the polls into a farce.

“Even in polls, TMC resorts to fake voters. In Naikhat, a TMC scoundrel was caught by people in an attempt to rig the vote. Appearing to be an agent of a candidate from the ruling party, he did not provide any valid identification. Shockingly, Mamata Banerjee’s loyal police intervened, saving him from the public instead of seeking justice. Is TMC along with its sycophantic police acting out of fear of people’s voice?” he posted on X with a video clip of an alleged fake voter being detained by the police in Naihati district.

TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh termed the allegations as “baseless” and said opposition parties were concocting 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 TMC supporters. Sources said his car was blocked and stones were 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 staff 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. According to sources, there was a heated exchange between Roy and the president.

The Trinamool Congress, however, maintained that the polling 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 Kharoa.

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 CPI(M)-led Left Front and the Congress are contesting the by-polls separately for the first time since 2021 following the recent change in the leadership 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. PTI SCH CORR BDC PNT MNB

This report is automatically generated by PTI news service. ThePrint is not responsible for its content.