Tensions Rise During West Bengal Assembly Elections as BJP and TMC Clash
Voting Underway in West Bengal's Second Phase
Voting is currently taking place for 142 assembly seats in the second phase of the West Bengal elections. On Wednesday, Suvendu Adhikari, the leader of the opposition and a BJP figure, visited a polling booth in the Kalighat area of Kolkata. He was surrounded by Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers, prompting police and CRPF intervention. Authorities had to resort to light baton charges to disperse the crowd.
Suvendu Adhikari Responds to TMC Protests
In response to the TMC workers' chants, Suvendu Adhikari shouted slogans like 'Jai Shri Ram' and 'Hindu-Hindu Bhai-Bhai' outside the polling booth. A significant number of BJP supporters gathered at the scene. Adhikari accused the TMC workers of being outsiders attempting to influence the election.
BJP Workers Join the Fray
According to media reports, the incident occurred near Jay Hind Bhavan in Kalighat. As soon as Suvendu arrived, TMC workers surrounded him, chanting 'Chor-Chor' and 'Jai Bangla.' The BJP responded with their own slogans. With tensions escalating, security personnel quickly intervened.
Allegations of Intimidation
Suvendu Adhikari alleged that voters and opposition workers were being intimidated. He called for the immediate deployment of additional central forces from the Election Commission. Adhikari communicated with election officials via phone, stating, 'I have been attacked. Send central forces immediately so that voters can cast their ballots without fear.'
Bhawanipur: The High-Profile Constituency
The Bhawanipur assembly seat is considered the most high-profile in West Bengal, with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee facing off against Suvendu Adhikari. Although Adhikari is also a candidate from Nandigram, he has been visiting various booths since morning. The BJP has accused TMC supporters of deliberately creating disturbances to undermine fair elections, while TMC claims that the public is expressing their dissatisfaction with Suvendu Adhikari.