Bengal: Stones Thrown At Dilip Ghosh's Car Amidst Clashes During Polling In Paschim Bardhaman

Tensions escalated in the Bardhaman-Durgapur Lok Sabha constituency where workers of the ruling Trinamool Congress and the BJP clashed in various areas.

An injured person after clahes between supporters of TMC and BJP, in Susunia area of Bardhman.

Incidents of violence marred the voting process on Monday as West Bengal witnessed clashes in several constituencies during the fourth phase of Lok Sabha polls. Tensions escalated in the Bardhaman-Durgapur Lok Sabha constituency where workers of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMCS) and the BJP clashed in various areas.

In an incident at Kalna Gate, BJP candidate Dilip Ghosh encountered a protest as he made his way to a poll booth following complaints. Trinamool Congress (TMC) supporters obstructed his path, chanting 'go back' slogans, and threw stones at his convoy, resulting in damage to some vehicles.

One CISF security personnel got injured during the alleged stone-pelting incident by TMC supporters, news agency ANI reported. 

#WATCH | Paschim Bardhaman, West Bengal: One CISF security personnel got injured during the alleged stone pelting incident by TMC supporters on the vehicle of BJP candidate from Bardhaman-Durgapur Lok Sabha seat, Dilip Ghosh.

The injured security personnel was rushed to hospital… pic.twitter.com/v86qBUrd3z

— ANI (@ANI) May 13, 2024

Despite claims of peaceful voting by poll officials, political parties lodged approximately 1,088 complaints of alleged EVM malfunction and obstruction of agents from entering booths, as per a report by NDTV

The confrontational scenes marked a stark departure from the earlier display of camaraderie between Ghosh and his main opponent, Trinamool's Kirti Azad. The two leaders hugged during a visit to a poll booth, a rare moment amidst sharp verbal exchanges between leaders of TMC and BJP.

Addressing the media earlier in the data, Ghosh accused the "goons of TMC" of preventing polling agents from accessing booths. 

"When I went to villages, women asked me with folded hands if they would be able to vote or not. It is their (Trinamool) habit to threaten people. The goons of TMC are not letting the polling agents enter the booths, including the presiding officer. Last night, they threatened people in certain areas and asked them not to come out to vote. I hope the situation will improve and voting will be done smoothly," he stated, as reported by news agency ANI. 

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TMC Reacts

In response, Trinamool accused Ghosh of attempting to disrupt the atmosphere "due to sensing defeat". 

Clashes also erupted in Birbhum and Krishnanagar constituencies, where BJP workers clashed with Trinamool supporters. BJP candidate Amrita Roy, contesting against Trinamool's Mahua Moitra in Krishnanagar, was seen escorting two injured supporters to the police station. In Tehatta area of the constituency, a CPM worker sustained injuries in a scuffle with Trinamool supporters over their presence in a polling booth. Additionally, Trinamool workers staged protests in certain areas of Birbhum, alleging voter intimidation by central forces