The fourth phase of Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal saw scattered incidents of violence. Workers from Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) clashed in various parts of Birbhum and Bardhaman-Durgapur constituencies, as reported by PTI. The Election Commission claimed that voting had been peaceful. By 1 p.m., political parties had received 1,700 complaints alleging electronic voting machine (EVM) malfunctions and polling agents being stopped from entering booths.
In the Susunia area of Bardhaman-Durgapur Lok Sabha seat, clashes erupted between BJP and TMC workers as BJP candidate Dilip Ghosh was en route to a polling booth. According to PTI, TMC supporters blocked his convoy and protested against him, allegedly hurling stones at his convoy and damaging some security personnel’s cars. Dilip Ghosh was also reportedly heckled by TMC activists. “Police are mere spectators.
TMC has unleashed a reign of terror. Since morning, TMC goons have beaten up our polling agents and are not allowing fair polling,” said the BJP leader as quoted by PTI. Dilip Ghosh’s convoy faced another attack at Kalna gate in Bardhaman-Durgapur constituency when he went to a booth following allegations of TMC preventing BJP’s booth agents. Bricks were pelted at his convoy, seriously injuring central police personnel in his security, the report added. “This is the second attack on my convoy today. Two of my security personnel were injured and had to be hospitalized,” Ghosh said.
The TMC, however, denied the charges, claiming Ghosh was “trying to disrupt the atmosphere sensing defeat.” Clashes between TMC and BJP erupted in the Durgapur area of the same constituency, leading saffron activists to stage a sit-in. In Birbhum Lok Sabha constituency, BJP workers clashed with TMC activists in Nanoor after BJP polling agents were allegedly prevented from entering booths. BJP alleged that their polling agents were forcibly ousted from a booth by Trinamool Congress members, and voters were intimidated. Tension prevailed in the Chapra area of Krishnanagar constituency as TMC workers allegedly beat BJP workers. Amrita Roy, BJP candidate of Krishnanagar, accompanied two injured persons, Nanda Das and Sukhen Das, to Chapra police station. The TMC has denied the allegations.