West Bengal poll violence marred by stones pelting, malfunctioning of evms, banning of polling agents into booths

The sixth phase of Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal on Saturday was marred by sporadic incidents of violence and numerous complaints, primarily from Kanthi, Tamluk, West Midnapore, Bishnupur and Jhargram Lok Sabha constituencies. By 11 am, the Election Commission had received 954 complaints, predominantly from political parties alleging malfunctions in Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and obstruction of polling agents’ entry into booths.

In the Ghatal constituency, clashes broke out between supporters of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). BJP candidate Hiran Chatterjee accused the TMC of obstructing the voting process by preventing their booth agents from entering thereby heightening tensions in the area.

In Kanthi constituency, BJP candidate Somendu Adhikari reported incidents of violence from various parts and accused the TMC and central forces of assaulting voters.

Meanwhile, in Midnapore, TMC activists displayed hostility towards BJP candidate Agnimitra Paul, resulting in a scuffle that was later resolved with the intervention of central forces.  Agnimitra Paul stated, “The goons of TMC have come here to capture the booth. Why else have they gathered out the polling station?.., Mamata Banerhee’s goons are here to capture the booth…”

Agnimitra Paul further stated that BJP polling agents are not being allowed inside polling booths in Keshiary as voting is underway in the parliamentary constituency.

Former Calcutta High Court judge and BJP candidate Abhijit Gangopadhyay faced protests upon his arrival at a polling booth in Tamluk.

Similarly, BJP candidate and Union Minister Subhas Sarkar faced demonstrations during his visit to a booth in Bankura

BJP candidate from Jhargram Lok Sabha seat, Pranat Tudu, was allegedly attacked by miscreants when he was visiting booth number 200 in Monglapota in the parliamentary constituency.

Tudu had to flee the Mangalapota area of Garbeta in West Midnapore district as stones were hurled at him and his security personnel. Dramatic visuals captured the chaos, showing security personnel carrying shields to protect Tudu while stones were thrown at them. As Tudu and his security team, along with some media personnel, attempted to escape, a large stone narrowly missed hitting a person. The BJP candidate and his entourage had to make a run for safety as more stones rained down around them.

Tudu has accused “Trinamool Congress (TMC) goons” of orchestrating the attack, claiming that two of his security personnel sustained head injuries and were hospitalised. In response, the ruling TMC contended that Tudu’s security officers had assaulted a woman who was waiting to vote, which they said triggered the violent protest.

Amit Malviya, the BJP’s Bengal co-incharge, also blamed the TMC for the attack in a post on X (formerly Twitter), asserting that the people of Bengal are voting to “kick out” Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s party.

The incident occurred as Tudu was heading to polling booths in Garpeta after receiving reports that BJP agents were being prevented from entering. “All of a sudden, TMC goons who had blocked the roads started hurling bricks at my car. When my security personnel tried to intervene, they were injured. Two CISF jawans accompanying me received head injuries and had to be hospitalised,” Tudu was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

The violent episode also saw vehicles used by media personnel vandalised by the crowd. A police team was dispatched to the area to control the situation, according to the PTI report.

The Jhargram Lok Sabha constituency, one of the 18 won by the BJP in West Bengal in 2019, has witnessed a fierce contest this election. In 2019, BJP candidate Kunar Hembram narrowly defeated TMC’s Birbaha Saren by a margin of approximately 12,000 votes. This time, the key contenders include Pranat Tudu from BJP, Kalipada Soren from TMC, and Sonamamu Murmu (Tudu) from CPM.