BJP-TMC workers clashed during voting in West Bengal, Dilip Ghosh's car vandalised
In the fourth phase of Lok Sabha elections, 8 of total 42 Lok Sabha seats of West Bengal went to poll on May 13. These constituencies included, Baharampur, Krishnanagar, Ranaghat, Bardhaman – Purba, Bardhaman – Durgapur, Asansol, Bolpur, Birbhum.
West Bengal witnessed violence amid the polling for the fourth phase of Lok Sabha elections on Monday. Stones were pelted at the convoy of BJP leader Dilip Ghosh during voting in Paschim Bardhaman, West Bengal. His car was badly damaged due to violence after stone pelting and many people were also injured, including two CISF security personnel.
The dispute between BJP and TMC workers started over slogans of Jai Shri Ram and Jai Bangla. After this there was a clash between the two groups and the car of the BJP candidate was vandalised.
BJP candidate from Bardhaman-Durgapur Lok Sabha seat, Dilip Ghosh had reached Kalnagate Kopi Bagan Shishu Shiksha Kendra in East Bardhaman district during voting. As soon as they reached, slogans of Jai Bangla from one side and Jai Shri Ram started being raised from the other side. In such a situation, security personnel came out of the BJP candidate's car and beat a Trinamool Congress worker with sticks. After this the situation became tense.
After increasing tension at the polling station, all the local workers were sent outside. Dilip Ghosh's car was damaged in the incident. After the dispute escalated, Dilip Ghosh and his security personnel left the spot.
Other incidents of violence in Bengal elections
Among various other incidents of poll violence, one was reported from Durgapur, where a clash between TMC and BJP workers broke out. Besides, BJP workers in Birbhum alleged that their stall outside a polling booth was vandalised by TMC workers.
Meanwhile, TMC leader Ram Prasad Halder accused that the BJP people were coming along with the central security forces and trying to influence the voters since 6 am. He said that they protested against it, and voters too joined them. He also accused the central forces of threatening people.
In Spite of poll violence, West Bengal again recorded an impressive turnout at 75.94 per cent, the highest among states/UTs in this phase. Till the fourth phase of Lok Sabha elections, the voting has been concluded at 18 out of 42 seats of West Bengal. Rest of the seats will go to polls in remaining three phases.The result of the Lok Sabha elections will be declared on June 4.
(With PTI Inputs)
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