KMC polls pass off amid sporadic violence

A police officer sustained bullet injuries, three Congress supporters were injured in a bomb attack,  shots were allegedly fired at a CPI(M) leader and allegations of widespread rigging, assault and intimidation by the ruling Trinamool Congress poured in as the opposition called the polls a 'farce.'

Bombs  were hurled in several places across the city apparently to scare away rival party supporters.

The Trinamool, however, denied all the allegations. 

Altogether 144 seats were contested  and more municipal elections are due across the state next week.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who voted just before the close of polls, flashed a victory sign to waiting journalists.

Trinamool Congress  Secretary-General Partha Chatterjee said the polling was "peaceful and free."

The party said they will return to rule the Kolkata Corporation once again.

"5 years of hard work. We are very confident that the people of Kolkata will bless us abundantly," said Derek O'Brien, Trinamool's Lok Sabha MP.

However, CPI(M) leader Rabin Deb described the polling as a farce and alleged that Left party agents were assaulted and driven out of booths in many places as the ruling party indulged in largescale rigging and booth capturing.

BJP state President Rahul Sinha said the election witnessed "rape of democracy" as violence and malpractices took place with the tacit support of police and the State Election Commission.

In one of the incidents of violence, Jagannath Mondal, a sub-inspector on duty near a booth in north Kolkata's Girish Park area was injured when bullets were fired at the force he was leading to intervene in an altercation between the workers of Trinamool Congress and Congress.

Mondal has been rushed to a nursing home where his condition is stated to be serious.

In another incident, three Congress workers were injured when bombs were hurled at a party office on Council House Street near the Raj Bhavan.

CPI(M) leader Fuad Halim alleged that three shots were fired at him at Kyd street near the MLA hostel in central Kolkata.

"I am lucky to have escaped with my life, what is unfortunate is I have had to witness the murder of democracy in Kolkata today,"Halim said.

A BJP worker was dragged out of a polling booth in Barabazar allegedly by rival Trinamool, after claims that candidates were trying to influence voters inside a poll booth.

In another incident, a BJP camp office was ransacked allegedly by Trinamool activists in Burrabazar area.

"The TMC has got many outsiders and they are being sent to vote without ration card or election card. They are doing false voting,"  BJP candidate Mina Devi said.

Police Commissioner Surajit Karpurakayastha said there were 10-12 incidents of minor disturbances which police brought under control.

The state Election Commissioner has accepted 60 to 70 complaints.