West Bengal Municipality Elections: Violence reported from several areas, media attacked
The ruling Trinamool Congress and its arch rival Left Front are once again pitted against each other, with BJP also emerging as a strong force.
In the last test before the all important Assembly elections, political parties are squaring off for elections in two critical municipalities.
The ruling Trinamool Congress and its arch rival Left Front are once again pitted against each other, with BJP also emerging as a strong force.
Elections are being held for Asansol Municipal Corporation (106 wards) and Bidhan Nagar Municipal Corporation (41)
There have been reports of sporadic violence in the run up to the polls and there are apprehension of some violence today.
The Asansol Municipal Corporation was formed by merging Raniganj, Jamuria and Kulti municipalities while the Bidhannagar corporation was constituted by merging Bidhan Nagar and Rajarhat-Gopalpur municipalities. TMC is expected to win but has been riddled with factional fight which may upset its equation.
The Left has had traditional strong base in these areas and are eager to do well after their impressive performance in Siliguri. BJP too is no pushover and Union Minister Babul Supriyo in Asansol has done his bits to see that lotus blooms there. BJP hopes that Bidhan Nagar with its posh urban population will also vote in their favour.
Elections are also being held for Siliguri Mahakuma Parishad in north Bengal, which consists of areas of the Terai region. The polls there will be a five cornered contest between CPI(M), TMC, BJP, Congress and GJM in some wards.
With agency inputs
Live Blog
The ruling Trinamool Congress and its arch rival Left Front are once again pitted against each other, with BJP also emerging as a strong force.
Six motorcycles and one car has been set on fire near Haj House in Tegharia. There is palpable tension in the air currently.
Media attacked at Bidhannagar. Cameraperson and reporters of Zee 24 Ghanta, ABP Ananda and other private news channels have been seriously injured.
Trinamool Congress leader Baiju Thakur has been shot at Asansol. According to doctors, he is seriously injured.
CPM’s candidate of ward 33 of Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation was allegedly attacked by Trinamool Congress supporters. Her house also attacked by them.
Polling percentage till 12 noon Bidhannagar registered 36% voting, Bally 26%, Siliguri 32% and Asansol 29% votes.
In Raniganj, Trinamool Congress supporters allegedly fired shots and hurled bombs at CPM supporters. They even ransacked and vandalised the CPM booth camps. Voters are not stepping out of their houses, fearing to be injured.
In Tegharia ward 9, in front of Haj House, a faction of Trinamool Congress clashed with the Congress. Two Congress supporters injured.
BJP candidate of ward 28 of Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation allegedly manhandled by unidentified people.
In Hariharpara in Murshidabad district of West Bengal, a crude bomb blast left two Congress workers dead and one injured. These three Congress supporters were reportedly carrying live bombs, when it went off. After the bomb went off, voting to the bypolls of panchayat at Hariharpara were halted.
In AC Block of Saltlake, some unidentified miscreants started brick-batting on voters as soon as they turned up at the polling booth. Later, when the police resorted to a lathicharge to disperse agitating people, they had to face stone pelting by the miscreants.
The first few hours of voting in Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation polls has been marred by booth capturing on Saturday.
Early morning, several outsiders were seen carrying out a massive rally in the BB block in Saltlake. Later, they entered the polling booth and stood next to the EVM. Opposition party supporters claim that these outsiders were openly threatening the voters in presence of police officers.
Updates -
In 28 no ward of Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation, opposition parties accused Trinamool Congress of booth capturing.
In Jamuria of Asansol, voters were targeted with bombs by some unidentified miscreants.
Later, tension broke out in Milan Sangha grounds of Jamuria after voters clashed with police. In presence of police officers, voters were not allowed to cast their vote unless they vote for the Trinamool Congress. Booth no 5 of Jamuria, allegedly remained captured by the Trinamool Congress.
In Bally, recently merged with Howrah Municipal Corporation, Congress candidate of 61 ward was targeted with crude bombs.