In the crucible of West Bengal's political fervor, the fourth phase of Lok Sabha polls erupted in a tumult of violence, tarnishing the electoral process across eight parliamentary constituencies.
As the sun ascended on Monday, Birbhum and Bardhaman-Durgapur became battlegrounds where the clash of political wills between the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) transformed into physical confrontations, leaving the democratic exercise marred and bruised.
Despite initial claims of tranquility by the poll panel, the ground reality bespoke a different narrative. A staggering 1,088 complaints besieged the electoral authorities, accusing malfunctions in Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and the obstruction of polling agents from entering booths, underscoring the contentious nature of the electoral process.
In the heart of Bardhaman-Durgapur's Monteswar, chaos erupted as BJP candidate Dilip Ghosh embarked on a journey to address grievances of booth jamming.
However, his path was barricaded by TMC supporters, precipitating a clash that escalated into an assault on Ghosh's convoy, his security detail bearing the brunt of the mob's fury.
"Police are just mute spectators. The TMC has let loose a reign of terror. Since morning, TMC goons have beaten up our polling agents and are not allowing polling to be free and fair," Ghosh told media persons.
The TMC, however, denied the charges and claimed Ghosh was "trying to vitiate the atmosphere sensing defeat."
In the Durgapur area of the same constituency, clashes broke out between the TMC and the BJP, following which saffron activists staged a sit-in.
In Birbhum Lok Sabha constituency, BJP workers clashed with TMC activists in Nanoor after saffron party polling agents were allegedly stopped from entering booths.
Tension prevailed in the Chapra area of Krishnanagar constituency as BJP workers were allegedly beaten by TMC workers. Amrita Roy, BJP candidate of Krishnanagar, accompanied two injured persons, Nanda Das and Sukhen Das, to Chapra police station. The TMC has denied the allegations.
The TMC, BJP, and Congress-CPI (M) alliance lodged complaints respectively related to poll violence, voter intimidation, and assaults on poll agents in the first few hours of polling, sources from both parties said.
In some areas, TMC workers staged a protest following allegations that central forces were assisting BJP workers in intimidating voters at some booths of Birbhum.
A voter turnout of 51 per cent was registered in eight Lok Sabha constituencies of West Bengal till 1pm on Monday, an Election Commission official said.
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