One dead as violence mars third phase of Bengal polls

A CPI(M) polling agent was killed and four other party workers were injured as incidents of violence today marred polling in 62 seats in the third phase of West Bengal Assembly election which saw 68 per cent turnout till 1 PM.

While CPI(M) alleged that Trinamool Congress supporters were involved in the incident, the latter denied the charge.

Election Commission officials have so far received over 1,500 complaints, including those of violence, voter intimidation and disruption of the poll process.

The poll percentage for the first phase of West Bengal assembly election was 80.92, in the second phase it was 79.91 and in the second phase it was over 83 percent.

The ear of a CPI(M) worker identified as Seltu Sheikh was slashed and leg of another CPI(M) man was fractured after an altercation led to a scuffle in front of booth no 78.

Meanwhile, according to Additional Chief Electoral Officer Dibyendu Sarkar, violence has erupted in Murshidabad, Nadia, Bardhaman and North 24 Parganas districts of the state.

Twenty two constituencies in Murshidabad, 17 in Nadia and 16 in Burdwan districts as also seven in north Kolkata are up for grabs.

In West Bengal, brisk polling is underway for the third phase of West Bengal Assembly Elections, amidst elaborate security arrangements.

Union Minister Babul Supriyo was allegedly heckled at a polling booth in Jorasanko constituency in the city when he went to cast his vote along with his mother.

Polling began at 7 am.at over 16,000 polling stations in the politically crucial state. Booth-capturing and voter intimidation took place in a number of areas, they said.

An ex-MP, Manan Hussian who was earlier with Congress and is now with the ruling Trinamool Congress, was found violating the model code as he was present in a constituency of which he is not a member.

The Trinamool Congress said the death was a fallout of infighting between the alliance partners of Congress and Left Front. But the Congress nominees are also clashing with those from the Left Front in 11 seats – 10 in Murshidabad and one in Nadia.

Polling will be held in three more phases ending on May 5.