By-elections to Bengal’s Bongaon lok Sabha constituency and Krishnaganj Assembly seat passed off amid sporadic violence, sources said, adding while Bongaon had recorded a little more than 73 per cent polling, about 78 per cent voters cast their votes in Krishnaganj when reports last came in at 5 pm. Traditionally for Bengal, polling below 83 per cent was normally considered good news for ruling outfits as also it indicated an air of fear and violence, experts said.
Though the Election Commission said polling was “by and large peaceful” save some stray incidents of violence Opposition CPI(M) and BJP complained attacks on their supporters by the Trinamool goons who allegedly snatched voter ID cards and prevented many of them from going to polling booths.