Violent incidents marred the third phase of polling for 62 seats in West Bengal on Thursday which saw a high voter turnout of 79.2 per cent.
While a CPI(M) supporter was killed near a polling booth at Domkal in Murshidabad district, 10 others sustained injuries in poll-related violence.
Tahidul Islam, 30, was killed with sharp weapons and his family members lodged a police complaint against 20 Trinamool Congress supporters.
Violence was reported at Ketugram and Managalkote in Bardhaman. Chakdah and Gayeshpur in Nadia were on the boil where Opposition supporters alleged attacks and intimidation from ruling party supporters.
In Kolkata, where polling was held for seven seats in the north, there was tension in the Beleghata area. About 63 people were detained for trying to influence voters, a majority of them in Beleghata. About 169 people were arrested in Murshidabad, Nadia and Bardhaman districts.
Chief Electoral Officer Sunil Gupta said that while Murshidabad witnessed 79.29 percent polling, in Nadia the turnout was 81.62 per cent. In Kolkata North, 57.05 per cent votes were polled while in Bardhaman, it was 78.26. The overall polling percentage was 79.22, he said.
Asked whether the polling was peaceful or not, Mr. Gupta refused a direct answer and said the Commission had given facts.
Leader of the Opposition and CPI(M) State Secretary Surjya Kanta Mishra said the third phase of polling saw “state-sponsored political violence at the behest of the ruling party.”
He blamed the Trinamool for the murder of the CPI(M) supporter and demanded repoll in 15 booths in the Domkal Assembly segment. “The Election Commission has failed to discharge its responsibility in certain areas,” he said. An FIR has been lodged against TMC candidate from Bhangor, Abdur Razzak Molla, for allegedly making objectionable remarks against BJP leader Roopa Ganguly. The action comes after the TMC candidate’s reply to the show-cause failed to satisfy the Returning Officer, EC officials said.
Mr. Molla’s remarks against Ms. Ganguly’s lifestyle have triggered outrage. Acting on a complaint by the BJP, the Election Commission on Wednesday issued a show-cause to Mr. Molla.
Supriyo faces protestBJP MP and Union Minister Babul Supriyo faced protest from TMC supporters when he went to cast his vote at a polling station in Kolkata. TMC workers shouted “Go back, Go back.”
Then an altercation followed between the MP and the protesters.
