Violence mars first phase of Lok Sabha polls in West Bengal

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The first phase of Lok Sabha polls in West Bengal witnessed sporadic incidents of violence, particularly in the Cooch Behar constituency. There were clashes reported between workers of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the region.

According to reports, both the TMC and the BJP filed numerous complaints, totalling 80 and 39 respectively, regarding poll-related violence, voter intimidation, and assaults on poll agents. The majority of these complaints originated from Cooch Behar and Alipurduars constituencies.

Incidents of violence ranged from clashes between party workers to allegations of voter intimidation and booth capturing. In the Sitalkuchi area of Cooch Behar, TMC alleged that BJP workers thrashed polling agents and obstructed voters from entering polling booths. Conversely, the BJP refuted these claims and accused TMC of employing intimidation tactics.

Sitalkuchi, known for its volatile nature, witnessed widespread violence during the last assembly polls, leading to fatalities.

The BJP alleged that in the Cooch Behar South area, party members were kidnapped by TMC members, and polling agents were prevented from entering booths. The party also claimed that TMC workers visited households to intimidate voters.

In Mathabhanga, TMC and BJP workers engaged in physical altercations, resulting in injuries on both sides. Workers from both parties confronted each other following allegations of voter intimidation. A district BJP leader has claimed that five party workers were injured and hospitalised after being attacked by TMC members.

In another area, TMC workers staged a protest alleging that CRPF personnel were assisting BJP workers in rigging votes.

TMC block president from Bethguri, Anant Barman, was hospitalised after allegedly being beaten up by BJP members.

In Chandmari, BJP workers claimed that voters were not allowed to enter booths, and TMC members had taken control of polling stations to rig the elections. In the neighbouring Alipurduras, TMC alleged that CRPF personnel and BJP leaders were intimidating voters, forcing them to vote for BJP. The party has denied the allegations.

Polling is underway for three Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal in the first phase on Friday, April 19. Polling started at 7 am in Coochbehar, Jalpaiguri and Alipurduars seats, where a total of 56.26 lakh people are eligible to vote. All three seats are reserved, with Cooch Behar and Jalpaiguri for SCs and Alipurduars for STs.

The polling for the day will conclude at 6 pm.

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KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow