Bengal civic polls: Sporadic clashes reported, Guv summons state election commissioner

Sporadic incidents of violence were reported across West Bengal during Sunday’s elections to 107 municipalities across the state.

Reports of violence and malpractices marred the West Bengal civic elections on Sunday as the state went to polls to elect 2,171 councillors across 108 municipalities. Sporadic incidents of rigging and booth jam were reported across the state, which allegedly led to interruption of polling procedures in many places.

Incidents of poll-related violence were reported from North 24 Pargana, South 24 Pargana, Hoogly, and many other places in Bengal. Clashes were reported in North Bengal as well.

In Berhampore, Bengal Congress president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury allegedly faced obstruction from TMC workers when he was going to cast his vote. Congress supporters reportedly blocked a highway at Dalkhola in North Dinajpur district and pelted stones at policemen, alleging that Trinamool Congress was rigging the elections.

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Additionally, EVMs were ransacked at many booths across North and South 24 Pargana districts .

In Murshidabad’s Raghunathganj, the police had to resort to lathicharge after workers from the Opposition parties and ruling Trinamool Congress supporters reportedly engaged in a fight.

Meanwhile, the BJP hit the streets protesting the violence allegedly being done by the Trinamool Congress. BJP leaders Kalyan Chowbey and Sajal Ghosh took a protest march to Kolkata Police headquarter in Lalbazar. But the BJP leaders were arrested by the police.