The first day’s voting for the first phase of Bengal Assembly elections passed off more or less peacefully amid some stray complaints of sporadic violence, rigging and idling out by the central forces, who were entrusted either with manning the booths or patrolling interior areas where the people normally cannot come out and vote against threats.
Over 81 per cent voter turnout was recorded in the first part of the first phase Assembly poll in West Bengal on Monday, according to the Election Commission.
Voting took place in 18 constituencies spread over West Midnapore, Bankura and Purulia which make up Jangalmahal.
More incidents of violence were reported from Salboni in West Midnapore, where journalists were badly beaten up and their camera broken by Trinamool Congress supporters even as they tried to report rigging. “One of us was given a broken hand and is currently recuperating in hospital” said a mediaperson of a Bengali news channel, adding “the police and paramilitary personnel stood as mere spectators.”
Reports of violence and booth-capturing also came in from Narayanpur, Taldangra, Raghunathpur, Simlapal and Gopiballabbhpur. Central forces went about shopping at Salboni and Simlapal markets even as the Trinamool men rigged polls and attacked the journalists, locals alleged.
At Balrampur in Purulia alleged Trinamool men offered food packets to voters, sources complained.
Elections were held for 18 seats including 13 of the lWE areas of Jangalmahal spread over three districts of Purulia, Bankura and West Midnapore.
“We sent repeated complaints to the Commission but the Trinamool goons continued to rig polls in a number of booths” Shyam Pandey the CPI(M) candidate from Salboni said. However his Trinamool rival claimed Pandey was making such complaints because he knew that he was losing.
The Election Commission received 494 complaints and “steps were taken in more than 424 cases,” EC sources said informing a presiding officer and a policeman who were reportedly working in the interest of the ruling party were promptly removed.
By far the “polls were peaceful” officials said. Purulia district Congress president Nepal Mahato also said that the polls were more peaceful than what it was in 2014 when many people could not vote.
Bengal BJP leader Rahul Sinha said the central forces were not as active as they should have been.
Congress' Abdul Mannan said Trinamool was controlling the State police it's "undeclared ally BJP" was directing the CRPF "rendering the ECI into a mere paper tiger."
Chief Election Commissioner of India Nasim Zaidi had reportedly sought detailed reports from the State Chief Electoral on the complaints received.
About 79.48 percent voters had cast their votes in Purulia whereas Bankura witnessed 78.13 percent when reports last came in at 5 pm. About 80.44 percent voters exercised their voting rights in West Midnapore.
There were still long queues in front of the booths and the overall percentage of polling was likely to go up sources said. In 2011 these areas witnessed about 84 percent polling.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will arrive in Bengal on April 7 and address two election rallies one at Birpara in Alipurduar and the other at Gossainpur. Modi had earlier addressed a meeting on March 27 at Kharagpur.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit north Bengal on Thursday. He will first address a public meeting at 12 noon in Birpara for BJP candidates in Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar districts. From there, he will reach Gossainpur and will speak at another meeting in support of the candidates in Darjeeling district around 4 pm,” a State BJP leader said.