Mamata: CAPF aiding BJP

Shubhadeep Choudhury

Tribune News Service

Kolkata, April 1

A massive turnout of 80.79 per cent was recorded in West Bengal’s Nandigram today amid a fair bit of drama as Trinamool and BJP workers almost came to blows. CM Mamata Banerjee is locked in a high-voltage contest with her former loyalist-turned-BJP nominee Suvendu Adhikari in the segment. West Bengal recorded 80.43 per cent polling across 30 segments in the second of the eight-phase elections being conducted in the state. Assam, where elections were held for 39 seats in the second phase, recorded a turnout of 77.21 per cent.

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Of the four Bengal districts where polling was held, Bankura recorded the maximum turnout of 82.92 per cent, followed by Purba Medinipur (81.23), South 24 Parganas (79.65) and Paschim Medinipur (78.05).

In Nandigram, Mamata landed up in polling booth number 7 at Boyal after hearing reports of alleged rigging by the BJP. Trinamool and BJP supporters soon assembled on either side of a field and started challenging each other. The police had a tough time bringing the situation under control.

Mamata, on a wheelchair, was taken inside the polling booth to ensure she remained safe in case a clash broke out. She remained holed up there for over an hour and was finally rescued after additional forces arrived.

While waiting at the polling booth, Mamata phoned Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar and complained that the central forces were allegedly not allowing the locals to cast their vote.

The CM later told the media that since morning, she received 63 complaints about alleged electoral malpractices by the BJP. She alleged 80 per cent bogus votes had been cast in booth number 7.

Accusing the central paramilitary forces of not doing their work in an impartial manner, Mamata alleged they were following instructions from Home Minister Amit Shah. She alleged the Election Commission had turned a blind eye to the help extended to BJP candidates by the central forces.

After Mamata left Boyal, her rival Suvendu landed there and met his supporters. In Gunhara village of Kespur constituency, BJP candidate Pritish Ranjan Konar’s vehicle was attacked by a group of miscreants with stones and bamboo poles, leaving him severely injured.

In Assam, Darrang district topped the chart with 78.83 per cent polling while Hojai, with a strong Muslim population, saw a 66.73 per cent turnout. Among those in the race in this phase are five ministers and the Deputy Speaker. The BJP is engaged in friendly contests with the AGP in Patharkandi and Algapur and the UPPL in Majbat and Kalaigaon.

In the grand alliance, the Congress is contesting 28 seats, the AIUDF seven and Bodoland People’s Front four. The newly floated Assam Jatiya Parishad is contesting 19 seats. There is a direct fight between the NDA and the grand alliance on 25 seats. In the final phase, elections to the remaining 40 seats will be held on April 6.