Several candidates in the poll fray in the third phase of Assembly polls in West Bengal were attacked and suffered injuries as 31 Assembly polls across three districts went to polls on Tuesday. Till 5 p.m., about 77.68% polling was recorded in the three districts and the voting percentage was expected to rise. Hooghly recorded highest 79.36 % polling percentage, followed by 77.93% in Howrah and 76.68% in South 24 Parganas.
The most distressing image of the day was the attack on the Trinamool Congress candidate from Arambagh, Sujata Modal Khan, who was chased by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporters through paddy fields in the constituency for hundreds of metres. Videos shared by local television channels showed Ms. Khan being hit on her head and her security officer sustained injuries. Five persons, including supporters of both the BJP and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) were arrested in connection with the incident.
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In the Khanakhul Assembly segment in Hooghly, TMC candidate Najibul Karim was allegedly attacked by BJP supporters.
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Another female candidate, Papiya Adhikari, contesting from Uluberia Dakhsin Assembly seat on a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ticket, was assaulted allegedly by supporters of TMC.
There were allegations of an attack on the vehicle of the BJP candidate at Falta in South 24 Parganas.
There were also allegations of attacks on polling agents in certain places like Tarakeshwar, Uluberia and Baruipur.
Polling in the third phase across 16 seats in South 24 Parganas — eight in Hooghly and seven in Howrah — started with reports of a death in a case of political violence. In the Goghat Assembly segment in Hooghly district, Madhabi Adak was allegedly killed while trying to save her son in the early hours on Tuesday. Her son filed a police complaint accusing TMC supporters of the attack.
At least one person was injured when crude bombs were hurled at Canning Purba Assembly segment. Saukat Mollah, the TMC candidate, blamed supporters of the Indian Secular Front for the attack and blocked the road leading to the polling booth.
Several allegations were made by voters in the Bishnupur area of South 24 Parganas and Baghnan in Howrah. Villagers said that they were threatened late on Monday against going to the polling booths. They alleged that the TMC’s supporters were behind the threats.
In a video shot at the Bishnupur Assembly segment and shared by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) with the Election Commission of India (ECI), a woman is seen arguing with a man who is threatening her with her dire consequences if she went to the polling booth to cast her vote. The woman, however, is seen not yielding to pressure. The ECI has sought a report from local authorities on the issue and the man accused of threatening the woman voter has been arrested.
About 618 companies of Central forces have been deployed in three districts of Howrah, Hooghly and South 24 Parganas.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged misuse of Central forces. “The blatant misuse of Central forces continues unabated. Despite us repeatedly raising this issue, @ECISVEEP continues to be a mute spectator while men in uniform are being misused at several places to openly intimidate TMC voters & influence many to vote in favour of one party,” Ms. Banerjee said on social media, sharing a video of an incident in Uluberia in Howrah in which Central forces personnel and locals could be seen arguing.
Later in the day, TMC leader Derek O’Brien in a letter to the Chief Electoral Officer alleged sexual assault on a minor by personnel of the Central Armed Police Forces in Tarakeshwar.
The TMC candidate from Dhanekhali in Hooghly Asima Patra also alleged excesses by the Central forces.