Incidents of violence and tension have been reported during the second phase of voting in West Bengal. Polling is underway across 142 assembly constituencies, but several areas have witnessed clashes, attacks, and disturbances at polling booths.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has accused the Trinamool Congress (TMC) of hooliganism and voter intimidation. Complaints have also emerged about disruptions in the electoral process. Violent incidents have been reported from regions including Howrah, Basanti, and Nadia.

Attack on BJP Candidate’s Car

In the Basanti Vidhan Sabha constituency of South 24 Parganas district, BJP candidate Vikas Sardar alleged a life-threatening attack by TMC workers.

According to Sardar, he was inspecting the area when a group of around 200–250 TMC workers surrounded his vehicle. The attackers were reportedly armed with iron rods and sticks and launched a violent assault on the car.

Sardar stated that the vehicle was damaged and his driver was also beaten. He said, “There is complete hooliganism by TMC across the constituency. They do not want free and fair elections to take place.”

BJP Polling Agent Brutally Assaulted

Another incident was reported from the Chapra constituency in Nadia district. At Booth No. 52 in Hatra Panchayat, BJP polling agent Musharraf Mir was brutally attacked.

Mir sustained serious head injuries and required six stitches. Speaking from the hospital, he claimed that some TMC supporters were hiding nearby with weapons and suddenly attacked him.

According to the victim, the attackers included criminals carrying firearms. They first hit him with iron rods and continued beating him after he fell to the ground. BJP MP Jagannath Sarkar commented, “In minority-dominated areas like Chapra, hooliganism is taking place under TMC’s protection to prevent BJP agents from being present at booths.”

EVM Malfunction and Voting Delays

Apart from violence, technical issues also disrupted polling during the second phase. In Baranagar, North 24 Parganas, complaints were raised about a malfunctioning Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) at Booth No. 72.

Voters standing in long queues expressed frustration, saying the faulty machine caused significant delays and slowed down the voting process. Meanwhile, in Howrah district, reports of an EVM glitch in the Bally area led to clashes. Following the incident, CRPF personnel detained two individuals.

With inputs from agencies

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