Bengal witnessed polling at a brisker pace till 5pm on Saturday in the penultimate phase, compared to the earlier ones, but it was marred by the poll-eve murder of a Trinamool Congress worker in East Midnapore‘s Mahisadal and a near fatal attack on another in Moyna in the same district. Despite sporadic incidents of violence, mostly in the traditionally volatile belts of East and West Midnapore, average turnout in the eight seats that voted in the sixth phase was 78% till 5pm.The final figures will show an uptick, EC said.
The attacks on TMC workers spurred poll-day demonstrations against BJP candidates Hiran (Ghatal), Agnimitra Paul (Midnapore) and Abijit Ganguly (Tamluk) at multiple places in Keshpur and Egra.
Around 3pm, violence erupted outside a booth in Garbeta under Jhargram LS constituency. BJP candidate Pranat Tudu was attacked by villagers, all TMC supporters, after his security allegedly assaulted an elderly voter. As stones and bricks rained on them, Tudu and his security guards had to run for cover. A CISF jawan was injured when a stone hit him on the head. Two vehicles, including one belonging to the media, were damaged. EC had to rush in reinforcements to control the situation. Both TMC and BJP slammed the central forces, accusing them of allowing rigging by the rival party workers.
The attacks on TMC workers spurred poll-day demonstrations against BJP candidates Hiran (Ghatal), Agnimitra Paul (Midnapore) and Abijit Ganguly (Tamluk) at multiple places in Keshpur and Egra.
Around 3pm, violence erupted outside a booth in Garbeta under Jhargram LS constituency. BJP candidate Pranat Tudu was attacked by villagers, all TMC supporters, after his security allegedly assaulted an elderly voter. As stones and bricks rained on them, Tudu and his security guards had to run for cover. A CISF jawan was injured when a stone hit him on the head. Two vehicles, including one belonging to the media, were damaged. EC had to rush in reinforcements to control the situation. Both TMC and BJP slammed the central forces, accusing them of allowing rigging by the rival party workers.
