Amidst reports of sporadic violence, false voting and allegations of “terrorising” electors, polling for Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) is underway since morning.
The voters have complained of “large scale false voting” by the Trinamool Congress (TMC) cadres. Even many TMC supporters have complained that the rival faction of the ruling party in the same area have forced them to leave the booth.
TMC has, however, denied these allegations. Minister Purnendu Bose said that “small incidents are expected in elections in Bengal.”
“However, we are all aware how Left Front used to conduct elections... But, no big incident has taken place,” said Mr. Bose.
Kathakali Nandiadds from central Kolkata
BJP candidate Shweta Sinha from Ward 46 complained of proxy voting at the Loreto Day School in Bowbazar area. BJP supporters claimed that “heavy fighting” was going on inside the polling station. The BJP and Congress party workers complained to the local police station and presiding officer.
Till 9 am, 18.1 per cent votes were polled.
In the previous civic polls in Kolkata, the rate of polling in the morning hours was much higher.
Nearly 39 lakh voters will decide the fate of 1,075 candidates in the KMC poll.
