Lok Sabha Polls: Around 65 per cent turnout in Bengal; Sporadic violence reported

The fate of 111 candidates are in the hands of 1,49, 63,143 electorate.

Tension ran high at Sashan in North 24-Parganas after villagers clashed with paramilitary jawans. There are allegations that jawans were threatening locals to cast their votes for BJP.

One of the villagers, who was allegedly thrashed by the forces, suffered multiple fractures. His mother then attacked a police convoy with stones out of anger. At the height of violence, polling was momentarily suspended, but resumed later.

Amid the violence that has gripped the state of West Bengal, rulling party Trinamool Congress's party office has been set on fire at Bhatpara. The area is known to be the stronghold of BJP leader Arjun Singh.

Earlier in the day, crude bombs and bricks were allegedly hurled at TMC's assembly by poll candidate from Bhatpara, Madan Mitra's car in Kankinara's Katapukur area of North 24 Parganas.

Trinamool Congress MP and Barasat Candidate Kakoli Ghosh sat on a dharna outside New Town police station. She has stated that Central forces are intimidating voters and chanting ‘Jai Shree Ram’ slogans.

However, the BJP urged the Election Commission to order the presence of central armed police forces in West Bengal till the Model Code of Conduct period ends, as it expressed concern that the state's ruling TMC may target a section of voters after polling is over.
BJP leader and Union minister Nirmala Sitharaman told reporters that elections in six of the nine seats, which have undergone elections on Sunday, were marred by violence.

The BJP accused TMC workers of casting proxy votes in Bengal's Jadavpur, while BJP candidate from Basirhat, Sayantan Basu alleged that TMC workers are not allowing people to cast their vote. Following violence in Basirhat, additional forces arrived at polling station number 189.
Meanwhile, bombs were hurled allegedly by TMC workers at booth number 6 at Madaripur in Islampur Bypoll today. Journalists were also allegedly attacked by the TMC.

TMC's Madan Mitra was involved in an altercation with central forces at booth number 37 at Kakinara High School. The booth came under Bhatpara Assembly seat. Mitra said, "Booth is our temple but Central forces are making a mockery of democracy. Why they will enter the booth. Even they don't allow the TMC voters."
The car of BJP candidate at Jadavpur Lok Sabha constituency Anupam Hazra was vandalised and he faced protest while trying to enter a booth to protest alleged rigging.

A bomb was also hurled at Rabindra Sarani under Kolkata Uttar Parliamentary constituency, where two miscreants on bike hurled a bomb to scare away voters and create panic.

Trinamool Congress leader Derek O'Brien alleged that Central forces were directly taking orders from the BJP.

In a statement, he said "Regarding Rafale deals, BJP, as usual, is hiding the facts and lying to the country.Today, in Bengal, central forces are brutally torturing and intimidating common citizens, especially the marginalised. Even physically handicapped persons being tortured. Central forces are also threatening voters "Kamal dabao nahin toh thok dega". "

"Central forces are directly taking orders from the BJP candidates and party functionaries, clearly violating the orders of the Election Commission. However, the Election Commission has not taken any action, " he alleged.

"Media has all these videos. Many are already in the public domain. Bengal wants peaceful polling. BJP does not, " he remarked.

"Over the next few days, the whole country will see the truth with more video evidence, " he quipped.

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) alleged TMC goons vandalised their booth camp at Baghajatin which falls under Jadavpur Lok Sabha Constituency.

" Central force remain mere spectator as TMC-BJP nexus stand exposed. After United resistance from the people the goons ran away from the place, " the party said.