West Bengal polls: 74 % voter turn-out; enclave-dwellers vote for the first time

West Bengal polls: 74 % voter turn-out; enclave-dwellers vote for the first time

Polling began at 7 am for 25 constituencies in the sixth and final phase of the staggered month-long polling for the West Bengal assembly elections.

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West Bengal polls: 74 % voter turn-out; enclave-dwellers vote for the first time

EC orders FIR against two TMC leaders 

The Election Commission has cracked the whip, ordering the district administration to file FIR against two TMC leaders: Udayan Guha and Rabindranath Ghosh.
Candidate from Natabari constituency in Cooch Behar, Ghosh was caught on camera barging inside polling booth and threatening a sector officer. He even accused the officer of acting as a CPM tout. Taking suo motu cognizance of the event, the EC had sought a report.
Guha, who is contesting from Dinhata constituency on a TMC ticket, has been charged with aiding proxy voting.
Meanwhile in Kaliachak, Malda, two brothers were shot at by an assailant allegedly linked with the ruling party. They have been admitted to Malda Medical College hospital and have been operated on. Family members say the duo were targeted for their links with CPM.

Voters in Cooch Behar

People wait in queues to cast votes at a polling station in Cooch Behar during the final phase of West Bengal Assembly elections on Thursday.

PTI

Opposition demands action against Ghosh

Condemning Trinamool Congress candidate Rabindra Nath Ghosh’s act, the Opposition demanded his immediate arrest. “The Election Commission should immediately take action in the matter and (Rabindra Nath) Ghosh should be immediately arrested,” said Revolutionary Socialist Party leader Ashok Ghosh.

TMC candidate caught threatening polling officer

TMC candidate Rabindra Nath Ghosh was on Thursday allegedly caught on camera threatening a polling officer inside a booth. Taking cognizance of the media report, the Election Commission has sought a report from the district administration.

In a video broadcast by a TV channel, Ghosh is seen entering a polling booth in Cooch Behar’s Natabari constituency, from where he is contesting, and verbally intimidating the official. “You are acting as a CPM tout; you are here to indulge in touting for the CPI-M?” Ghosh is heard saying and asking the official’s name and where he was employed.

As the official says he is posted at a primary school, Ghosh retorts: “Oh, primary school! that will serve me better.” He then moved out of the booth and while boarding his car, he is seen threatening a polling agent for being a “CPM tout”.

74% voter turnout till 3 pm 

In the final and sixth phase of the West Bengal Assembly election, voter turnout till 3 pm was recorded at 74.15% 

Central force excesses reported in two districts

Reports of “central force excesses” poured in from different parts of the two districts (East Midnapore and Cooch Behar) that went to polls in the sixth and final phase of West Bengal Assembly polls on Thursday.
In Janubasan area of Tamluk, the district headquarters of East Midnapore, a five-year-old boy was allegedly injured when paramilitary jawans tried to disperse a crowd near booth no. 94 leading to massive protest from locals.
Abdul Kader, the TMC councilor of ward no.14 in Haldia reportedly suffered a hand fracture when CRPF jawans wielded their batons. Six other TMC workers were also injured. According to the forces, the TMC leader and his men had broken the 100-metre rule of not being allowed to assemble near a booth.
A similar incident was reported from Sitalkuchi, an administrative block in Mathabhanga subdivision of Cooch Behar. Five TMC supporters including two women were reportedly injured when jawans lathicharged on them. Once again, CRPF said they were forced to take action when the group of supporters refused to leave the vicinity of a booth despite repeated warnings.
In Khejuri, villagers damaged a road in protest against alleged excesses of jawans when six TMC workers were hurt by lathicharge.
In Moamari, Cooch Behar, CPM worker Azizul Haq was beaten up by bamboo sticks and stones by alleged TMC activists while returning home after casting ballot. His family members were also threatened, report local TV channels.

EC’s disabled-friendly booth a big hit

In the 51 erstwhile enclaves in Cooch Behar, over 9,000 enthusiastic voters, including three centenarians, voted for the first time since the country’s Independence. Thousands turned up in East Midnapore’s over 4,000 disabled voter-friendly booths, aided by the Election Commission’s special initiatives.

In East Midnapore’s Moyna seat, the CPM alleged that its polling agent’s house was broken into and vandalised by Trinamool Congress supporters. The Trinamool, in turn, accused the Congress of overwhelming several booths in Moyna constituency in the district.

Five Trinamool workers were reportedly detained in the assembly segment on the charge of intimidating voters.

In Nandigram, the Opposition accused the Trinamool of intimidating and threatening their agents.

IANS

Over 61% voter turnout by 1 pm

According to latest Election Commission  data, 61.88 per cent votes have been cast till 1 pm in the sixth and final phase of polling in West Bengal. Cooch Behar witnessed a polling percentage of 58.81 while for East Midnapore, the figure stood at 63.61, reports Firstpost‘s Sreemoy Talukdar.

TMC accuses EC of ‘spreading terror’ 

In final phase of polling in West Bengal Assembly polls, the ruling party accused the Election Commission of “spreading terror”. Six TMC workers were injured when central forces lathicharged on a crowd in Moyna of East Midnapore district, report Firstpost‘s Sreemoy Talukdar.

The incident took place near booth numbers 255 and 266 in Deubhanga when CRPF jawans wielded their batons to disperse TMC workers gathered around the booths. The ruling party claimed that they had maintained a distance of 200 metres away from the polling area. Section 144, was, however, imposed in the area.

Similar complaints were made by TMC in Natabari constituency of Cooch Behar where four party workers were beaten up when central forces lathicharged to disperse ‘unlawful assemblies’ near booth numbers 173, 178, 180 and 182.

In East Midnapore’s Khejuri, TMC workers were caught trying to influence voters with fake EVM machines. According to reports in local TV channels, supporters of opposition parties were warned against stepping outside to vote in Satsimli village. The ones who did were intercepted on the road leading to the booth and ’tutored’ on which button to press.

Meanwhile, the TMC has complained to the EC against BJP for holding a press conference on polling day. Mamata Banerjee’s party said it was an attempt to influence voters.

12:21 PM (IST)

Police officer emerges as hero in an election marred by threats

Almost straight out of a Bollywood script, a police officer emerged as the hero as voting touched midpoint in the sixth and final phase of West Bengal Assembly elections.

Amid reports of voter intimidation from Mytore, a hamlet in Panskura (west) constituency under East Midnapore, officer Mohammed Bilal Hossain was seen going door-to-door and trying to allay the fears of local residents who were visibly scared stiff. “Don’t be afraid. We are here to help you,” the officer was seen in footage from local TV channels. “Who has threatened you, tell me their names,” asked the officer to voters, many of whom refused to identify themselves for fear of retribution. Some broke out in tears. Hossain also gave a local CPM agent a ride in his jeep and escorted him to the polling booth from where he was driven out.

TMC candidate from Nandigram Subhendu Adhikari, one of the leaders whose name featured in the infamous Narada sting videos, dismissed all claims of voter intimidation, however.

In an interview to 24 Ghanta, Adhikari said the charges were “concocted and voting was extremely peaceful.” Though reports emerged of voters being threatened in many areas of Nandigram including Khejuri, Mytore and Haldia, Adhikari said these were baseless reports.

“The central forces have created a reign of terror. We have understood their strategy. Accordingly, we changed our tactics,” the TMC strongman said.

12:03 PM (IST)

Over 45% voter turnout by 11 am

11:09 AM (IST)

TMC leader in Murshidabad critically injured

In other news, Subir Sarkar, the district secretary of Trinamool Congress in Murshidabad, was critically injured when three bike borne assailants pumped three bullets into his hand, leg and chest near his residence in Berhampore area.

Doctors in Murshidabad Medical College have operated on him but Sarkar’s condition is still serious. Voting has ended two weeks back in Murshidabad, the fief of Congress state president Adhir Chowdhury.

One of the pockets in the state where Congress still has strong influence, Murshidabad has experienced incidents of post-poll violence. The ruling party has blamed the attack on Congress but the Grand Old Party has denied all charges. It said the shootout was a result of TMC infighting.

11:05 AM (IST)

103-year-old man casts vote in Dinhata

11:02 AM (IST)

Suvendu Adhikari sends legal notice to Surya Kanta Mishra

A legal notice has been served to CPI(M) state secretary Surya Kanta Mishra for allegedly making “false allegations and sullying” the reputation of Trinamool
Congress candidate in Nandigram, Suvendu Adhikari. 

Mishra had on Tuesday complained to the Election Commission alleging that Adhikari had held a meeting on 1 May at a college at Panskura in East Midnapore district with officers in-charge of Moyna, Haldia, Marishda, Ramnagar and Panskura police stations “to keep the central forces away from action” during Thursday’s polling in the district. 

“I have sent a legal notice to Mishra against such utterly false allegations levelled at me to harm my and TMC’s reputation. No such meeting had taken place,” Adhikari told PTI last night.

10:50 AM (IST)

Some reports of rigging and voter intimidation in largely peaceful voting atmosphere

In a largely peaceful voting atmosphere so far, Cooch Behar’s Mathabhanga and Sitalkuchi constituencies came into limelight with reports of rigging and voter intimidation.

In Sitalkuchi, CPM Rafikul Mian was attacked and thrashed by alleged TMC workers while returning home after casting ballot in booth No 176. “I was told yesterday not to go near the polling booth. I was beaten up for not listening to them,” Rafikul told a local TV channel after filing an FIR against a few TMC workers.

Footage also showed central forces chasing away crowds near polling booths from different locations in Sitalkuchi where former TMC minister Hiten Barman is up for reelection.

In East Midnapore’s Nandigram, the seat of TMC heavyweight and sitting Tamluk Lok Sabha MP Subhendu Adhikari, reports emerged of the ruling party distributing ice cream and chocolates among kids and puffed rice among their parents who are out for voting. One CPM agent was reportedly beaten up in Kendamari region of Nandigram. In many booths, the opposition have failed to install their polling agents.

10:22 AM (IST)

Over 23% voter turnout by 9 am

10:01 AM (IST)

From Nandigram to Natabari, complains of threats and mismanagement pour in   

Nandigram , the seat of Trinamool Congress’s uprising when it unseated CPIM after 34 years in 2011, was at the centre of early attention with Left Front alleging that over 200 booths were without their polling agents because the ruling party had threatened their workers overnight, reports _Firstpost’_s Sreemoy Talukdar.

TMC MP Subhendu Adhikari, the candidate from Nandigram and widely expected to win, dismissed the charge. “What can I do if people are not ready to support them? Is it my problem that they have not been able to organize agents,” he told news channel 24 Ghanta.

The Election Commission has received complaints from Moyna, another administrative division in Tamluk subdivision of East Midnapore, that a polling agent’s father was allegedly kidnapped by TMC goons.

In Natabari area of Cooch Behar district, CPM candidate Tamser Ali accused TMC of “managing central forces” by giving them food and liquor. There was no patrolling or route march from CRPF jawans, he alleged

300 complaints lodged with EC in first couple of hours

A total of 300 complaints were lodged with the Election Commission in the first couple of hours as voting got under way in the sixth and final phase of West Bengal Assembly polls covering 25 seats across two districts. Most of the complaints came from East Midnapore which has 16 constituencies while reports of irregularities also trickled in from Cooch Behar, reports Firstpost‘s Sreemoy Talukdar.

Residents of 51 enclaves in Cooch Behar district exercise their franchise for the first time as Indian citizens

103-year-old Asghar Ali cast his ballot for the first time in his life on Thursday when residents of Chhitmahal, one of the 51 enclaves in Cooch Behar district, exercised their franchise for the first time as Indian citizens, reports Firstpost‘s Sreemoy Talukdar. These enclaves were formally declared Indian territory in August last year after an exchange with Bangladesh. Both countries exchanged 162 adversely-held enclaves on 1 August, 2015 ending one of the world’s most complex border disputes.

Voting begins for final phase

(Updates begin for 5 May)

73% votes cast till 3 pm 

Till 3 pm in the afternoon, 72.19 percent votes have been cast in the fifth phase of West Bengal Assembly polls. Kolkata south constituency witnessed 58.05 percent votes, South 24 Parganas saw a voting percentage of 73.19 percent and in Hooghly 72.46 percent votes were cast.

Major violence reported in last stages of polling

Major violence broke out in the last stages of voting in the fifth phase of West Bengal Assembly elections. In Nabagram area of Baruipur constituency, four Trinamool Congress workers were injured in firing during a clash with CPM activists. One 14-year-old took a bullet in his hand, while three others including a differently-abled individual were also hurt in firing. The injured have been admitted to the Baruipur Mahakuma Hospital. The Election Commission took suo motu cognizance of the incident and has sought an urgent report on the incident.

The allegations have been labelled against one Rafikul Mollah, though CPIM candidate in the area, Sujoy Mistry, has denied all charges.

Clashes broke out near booth No 162 in Nabagram. Six people have so far been arrested.

In a separate incident, the Election Commission has ordered the removal of a Presiding Officer (PO) in booth No 271 in Arambagh. According to reports, the PO was aiding a TMC leader in rigging. The EC has also ordered an FIR to be filed.

Polling in South 24 Pargana

A Central Force jawan keeps strict vigil as voters stand in queues to cast their votes at a polling station in South 24 Pargana during the fifth phase of West Bengal Assembly Elections on Saturday.

PTI

Voters before getting inked

Voters in Hooghly show their identity cards before casting votes on Saturday at a polling station during the fifth phase of the West Bengal Assembly Election. 

PTI

CM Mamata Banerjee after casting her vote

People brave the heat to cast votes

Amid tight security and braving the sweltering heat, over 57 percent of the electorate cast their votes in the first six hours of polling for 53 constituencies in the fifth and penultimate phase of West Bengal’s assembly polls on Saturday. While the EC claimed the polling was peaceful, the CPI-M and Congress accused the ruling Trinamool Congress of intimidating voters and election agents. Trinamool leaders including Lok Sabha member Abhishek Banerjee alleged “excesses” by the central security forces. 

57% votes cast till 1 pm

Election Commission data says till 1 pm in the afternoon, 57.1 percent ballots were cast in the fifth phase of West Bengal Assembly elections. Kolkata south experienced 46.35 percent voting, South 24 Parganas saw 58.24 percent and Hooghly polled the highest number so far with 59.83 percent. 

Drones deployed

Kolkata Police have taken no chances. As part of unprecedented security measures for the fifth phase, the cops have pressed drones into service to keep an eye on mischief mongers.

8 injured in clashes

Jailed TMC candidate Madan Mitra’s wife has complained to the Election Commission against Deepa Dasmunshi who is taking on Mamata Banerjee in Bhawanipore. Metiabruz in Kolkata witnessed clashes between TMC and CPM activists forcing police to resort to mild lathicharge. Eight people have been arrested from Metiabruz and Rajabagan.

EC gets 1,500 complaints

A total of 1,500 complaints have so far been lodged with the Election Commission. In Bhangar, Marxist-turned TMC candidate Rezzak Mollah is battling infighting led by own party leader Arabul Islam. Footage in local TV channels showed Mollah’s supporters injured in attack ostensibly from Arabul’s men. Mamata Banerjee had appointed Arabul as Mollah’s poll manager despite a history of bitter rivalry between the two.

In Basanti, South 24 Parganas, seven people have been injured when political clashes broke out between TMC and RSP workers. Women were also reportedly attacked in clashes near Bhangarkhali Primary School and TV footage showed one woman voter with a split lip. Paramilitary forces have now been deployed in the area though situation remains tense.

FIR against Sonali Guha

Election Commission has asked the South 24 Parganas district administration to lodge an FIR against Sonali Guha. Deputy speaker of (now dissolved) state Assembly Guha was is facing action for her comments against EC, challenging central forces at work and threatening rival polling agents. Considered close to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Guha is contesting the election from Satgachia seat. She organized a ‘sit-in’ protest after voting in a booth was suspended due to a malfunctioning EVM.

TMC leader Firhad Hakim in trouble over ‘mini Pakistan’ remark

BJP alleged that a state minister and Trinamool Congress leader Firhad Hakim has described a part of Kolkata port area as “mini Pakistan” in an interview to Pakistan daily Dawn and demanded an explanation.

“How can a minister say such things? We demand an explanation from both Firhad Hakim and also Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee,” BJP national secretary Siddharth Nath Singh said.

When contacted Hakim told PTI he never made such comment. “The Pakistani journalist came along with a journalist of a local Bengali daily. She only asked me that this place looks like Karachi of Pakistan. I did not make any comment. She spoke to me about my election campaign. I answered those questions. That’s all,” he said.

Moon Moon Sen and her daughters cast their votes

Voters threatened by TMC goons: Opposition

In Hooghly’s Singur constituency, polling was peaceful in all 16 gram panchayats, EC reports said. Both the CPM candidate Rabin Deb and TMC’s veteran
leader Rabindranath Bhattacharya, a sitting MLA, thanked the Election Commission for the peaceful polls. 

Allegations by the Opposition CPM and Congress that their polling agents were not allowed to enter many booths were received from many places in South 24-Parganas, a charge denied by the ruling party. The Opposition also claimed that voters in rural areas of Caning East, Canning West, Bhangar, Gosaba and Kakdwip districts were not allowed to cast their votes as they were threatened by TMC goons. The ruling party has denied the charge.

Central forces were not seen inside several booths in Kakdwip and Shyamnagar under Bhangar constituency, Opposition parties claimed.

Violence reported in some areas

Amid a largely peaceful fifth phase so far, incidents of violence have been reported from Goghat and Arambagh in Hooghly district. In Goghat, Forward Bloc candidate Biswanath Karak and his bodyguard were beaten up with the butt of a rifle by TMC-linked hooligans sparking off a massive search operation by central forces. ETV News Bangla reports that five TMC activists have been arrested. Karak, who was on his way to visit some booths after getting reports of rigging, was waylaid by a biker gang.

In Bhangar, the constituency of controversial TMC candidate Rezzak Mollah, CPM supporters were reportedly prevented from going near the polling booth. Footage in Kolkata TV showed CPM workers and supporters blaming local TMC workers for threatening them. Mollah, however, has denied all charges.

In Kolkata’a Jadavpur constituency, central forces prevented TMC candidate Manish Gupta from entering a booth with outsiders in tow. One false voter has been nabbed.

RAF deployed near CM’s residence

RAF was deployed and a huge police contingent rushed to Patua Para area of Kalighat near Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s residence after reports emerged of a huge number ‘outsiders’ in the locality. The cops were acting on Deepa Dasmunshi’s complaint that TMC workers and outsiders were threatening voters and in some places distributing soft drinks near polling booths. Local TV channels report that some arrests have been made.

Voter turnout recorded at 55% till 1 pm

Sporadic incidents of violence reported

Over 38 percent of the electorate cast their votes in the first four hours today in the fifth and penultimate phase of the Assembly polls in West Bengal
where three persons sustained injuries in sporadic incidents of violence. The Election Commission said the overall average turnout was 38.30 percent. A report from Chinsurah in Hooghly district said a villager sustained head injury when he was allegedly attacked by Trinamool Congress supporters at Puin village in Arambag constituency. Police have arrested one TMC supporter. A report from Canning in South 24 Parganas said two persons were injured as central force jawans used batons to disperse clashing Trinamool Congress and CPM supporters in front of a booth in Kathaliya village under Bhangar constituency.

Former CM Buddhadeb Bhattacharya at a polling booth

12:58 PM (IST)

TMC leader Firhad Hakim casts his vote

12:41 PM (IST)

Crude bombs found in Kolkata’s Keyatal area

Three crude bombs were found in Kolkata’s posh Keyatala area creating panic among the residents. Police immediately deactivated the bombs. In Basanti, a town in Canning subdivision of South 24 Parganas, two CPM agents Abdul Barik and Sajul Sardar were allegedly kidnapped. In booth No 64 of the same area, cops rushed in after reports came of TMC goons allegedly threatening local voters. In Thakurpukur area of South 24 Parganas, TMC-affiliated goons were allegedly attacking the residences of rival party workers and issuing rape threats against their family members.

12:35 PM (IST)

Opposition demands immediate action against Guha

“The Election Commission’s media monitoring cell must have seen the entire incident on TV. They must take immediate cognizance and put Guha under arrest. We will obviously file a complaint, but the CEC and CEO should act on its own,” CPM MP and politburo member Mohammad Salim was quoted as saying in ABP Ananda.

Congress state president Adhir Chowdhury said the incident has shamed Bengal. “Everyone saw how a deputy speaker was asking her party workers to thrash rival polling agents. The likes of Guha have been tutored well by their headmistress Mamata Banerjee. We have already lodged a complaint. The EC should immediately impound her,” Chowdhury was heard as saying in local TV channels.

Late reports indicate the EC has sought a report on the incident.

12:28 PM (IST)

Over 38% voter turnout in first four hours

According to latest EC data, 38.30 percent votes have been cast till 11 am in fifth phase of Bengal Assembly polls. Four seats in South Kolkata witnessed 32.58 percent voting, South 24 Parganas 39.81 percent and Hooghly 36.97 percent.

12:22 PM (IST)

TMC leader caught inciting party workers

Trinamool Congress leader Sonali Guha is in hot water after TV channels caught her inciting party workers over the phone. Guha, TMC candidate from South 24 Pargana’s Satgachia constituency, was seen instructing party activists to “thrash and drive out CPM agents from booths”. A malfunctioning EVM, which paused voting for over an hour in Kashibati Hindumoyee School (booth No 108), drew Guha’s ire as she accused the CPM of damaging the EVMs and asked party members to drive them out. She also engaged in confrontation with paramilitary jawans when they prevented her from entering the booths.
The Opposition has called for “immediate arrest” of Guha.

12:22 PM (IST)

TMC leader caught inciting party workers

Trinamool Congress leader Sonali Guha is in hot water after TV channels caught her inciting party workers over the phone. Guha, TMC candidate from South 24 Pargana’s Satgachia constituency, was seen instructing party activists to “thrash and drive out CPM agents from booths”. A malfunctioning EVM, which paused voting for over an hour in Kashibati Hindumoyee School (booth No 108), drew Guha’s ire as she accused the CPM of damaging the EVMs and asked party members to drive them out. She also engaged in confrontation with paramilitary jawans when they prevented her from entering the booths.
The opposition has called for “immediate arrest” of Guha.

12:15 PM (IST)

Political heavyweights in fifth phase of polling

Though all eyes are on Bhawanipore, where Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is seeking re-election, also in fray are state ministers and Trinamool heavyweights Firhad Hakim, Subrata Mukherjee, city mayor Sovon Chatterjee and Iqbal Ahmed – who were among the leaders allegedly shown taking money in the Narada News sting operation videos in return for doling out favours to a fictitious company.

Another star candidate is Abdur Rezzak Mollah, a high-profile minister during the Left Front regime, who is contesting on a Trinamool ticket from Bhangore in South 24 Parganas.

Celebrated actress and legislator Debasree Roy is taking on CPM heavyweight and former state minister Kanti Ganguly at Raidighi in South 24 Parganas.

IANS

11:43 AM (IST)

Civic police volunteer dead

11:37 AM (IST)

38% voter turnout till 11 am

11:37 AM (IST)

Incidents of clashes

There were reports of entry of outsiders in Kasba from Bhangar in South 24 Parganas while in Haripal in Hooghly district, the CPM claimed its agent was “prevented” from entering by the Trinamool Congress. In Khanakul in Hooghly as well as in South 24 Parganas’ Canning East Assembly seat, the CPM accused the Trinamool of threatening its agents. At a booth in Satgachia of South 24 Parganas, deputy Speaker of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly (WBLA) and Trinamool Congress MLA Sonali Guha was seen questioning a central force personnel with pointed fingers as he stopped her from getting close to the electronic voting machine (EVM).

Independent candidate Ambikesh Mahapatra, supported by the Left Front-Congress, said voters were being prevented from entering some booths under police station of his Behala East constituency and alleged the officer in charge was inactive and did nothing. He also alleged the family members of one of his agents were assaulted and threatened by the Trinamool.

IANS

11:31 AM (IST)

Peaceful polling in first two hours: EC

Voting began at 7 am for 31 constituencies in South 24 Parganas and 18 in Hooghly districts besides four in South Kolkata. Nearly 1.24 crore (1,23,97,832) voters across 14,642 polling stations, including 77 auxiliary booths, are eligible to decide the fate of 349 candidates. While the Election Commission said polling was peaceful in the first two hours, the CPI-M and Congress accused the ruling Trinamool Congress of intimidating voters and election agents. 
 

IANS

11:03 AM (IST)

Over 19% votes cast in in two hours

19.64% votes were cast till 9 am in fifth phase of voting in West Bengal Assembly polls. Among the three districts where polling is under way, Kolkata South witnessed 15.64%, Hooghly 20.01% and South 24 Parganas 20.04%

10:53 AM (IST)

CPM supporter injured in violent clash

10:51 AM (IST)

TMC leader’s son arrested

Cops arrested a Trinamool Congress leader’s son from Maheshtala, South 24 Parganas, during early rounds of voting in fifth phase of West Bengal Assembly elections on Saturday. Prabal, son of local TMC councilor Shailen Bhattacharya, was arrested for intimidating, abusing and chasing voters out of the queue in booth No 258 of Batanagar area in Maheshtala, reports Kolkata TV. Acting on local CPM leader Shamik Lahiri, police arrested Prabal.
In Arambagh, CPM worker N Babu suffered head injury when he was beaten up by alleged TMC activists near booth No 150 in Puingram.
In Bhangar, TMC and CPM workers clashed right in front of central forces following which several have been injured while two have suffered cuts in the head.
In Baruipur, a Congress worker and his wife had to be hospitalized when alleged TMC goons beat them up. The ruling party has denied the charges.
In Kolkata’s port area, the seat from where TMC minister Firhad (Bobby) Hakim is contesting, there are allegations that TMC workers, sporting the minister’s badges, were raiding different booths. Hakim is one of the 12 TMC leaders who have featured in the Narada sting videos.

10:43 AM (IST)

Nearly 20% voter turnout till 9 am

10:41 AM (IST)

Sourav Ganguly at a polling booth 

10:39 AM (IST)

All eyes on Bhawanipore

In the fifth phase of the West Bengal polls, the Election Commission is using 16,838 EVMs and 1,024 Voter-verified paper audit trail (VVPAT). The Trinamool and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are contesting in all the seats in this phase. The Left Front, which has tied up with the Indian National Congress, is in the fray in 37 seats — CPM (31), All India Forward Bloc (three), Revolutionary Socialist Party (two) and Communist Party of India (one). The Congress has nominated 14 candidates. The combine has lent support to the Nationalist Congress Party in one seat, and is backing an independent in another. All eyes are on south Kolkata’s Bhawanipore, where Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee — seeking re-election — is facing a challenge from Left Front-backed Congress nominee Deepa Dasmunshi and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s grandnephew Chandra Kumar Bose of the BJP.

IANS

10:03 AM (IST)

CPM and TMC workers clash in Hooghly

Silence! The Prime Minister is tweeting

Sourav Ganguly votes

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly was among the early voters to cast his ballot from Behala east constituency, an area where he resides.

Tight security, deceased voters and rape threats

Early footage from TV channels showed Central forces patrolling the lanes and bylanes of each ward. 

Bhawanipore turned out to be the early eye-grabber, reports Firstpost’s Sreemoy Talukdar, with a voter arriving at a booth to discover that his name was included in the list of dead.

In Behala east, reports have emerged that the wife and children of an independent candidate have been beaten up. Local TV channels reported that the candidate’s wife and daughter also received rape threats from alleged TMC-affiliated goons. Kolkata Mayor Sovon Chatterjee, the sitting MLA and president of South 24 Parganas district, TMC, has denied the allegations but Ambikesh Mahapatra, his rival, said cops are shielding the goons.

Mahapatra, the Jadavpur University professor who was jailed for circulating online a cartoon of Mamata, said the Haridebpur OC is not doing his job.

Peaceful first couple of hours

The first two hours of voting in fifth phase of West Assembly Elections on Saturday were relatively smooth, some stray incidents notwithstanding, notes Firstpost’s Sreemoy Talukdar.  

Among Kolkata’s four seats, the most talked-about constituency, Bhawanipore, is that of Mamata Banerjee where CPM-supported Congress candidate Deepa Dasmunshi is expected to give her a good fight. Deepa is the wife of ailing former Congress Union minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi and is no rookie herself, having contested once before in 2014 Lok Sabha elections though that outing ended in a defeat from Raiganj seat against CPM’s Mohammad Salim.

The Left Front, however, has put all its might behind their alliance partner this time and Deepa spent the first two hours on Saturday roaming around different booths of her seat. She accused the ruling Trinamool Congress of flooding the area with outsiders and has also lodged a complaint with the Election Commission in this regard.

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Derek O’Brien casts his vote

Phase Five is underway

Polling began for 53 constituencies in the fifth and penultimate phase on West Bengal assembly polls on Saturday.

Voting began at 7am for 31 constituencies in South 24 Parganas and 18 in Hooghly districts besides four in South Kolkata.

TMC leader attacks EC, cries ‘undeclared emergency’

Sreemoy Talukdar of Firstpost writes- 

Trinamool Congress candidates Purnendu Basu (from Rajarhat-Gopalpur constituency) and Sabyasachi Dutta (Rajarhat-Newtown) courted controversy in the later stages of Assembly polls on Monday. Purnendu, state agriculture minister, was caught threatening a CRPF jawan in ABP Ananda footage. Incensed at being prevented from entering the booth with his followers, Basu said the EC is behaving as there if “undeclared emergency” and threatened the jawan for stopping him. In another incident, Dutta, who was caught in a Times Now sting allegedly owning up to syndicate raj in the state, was seen scolding police officers near booth No 242 in Rajarhat. ABP Ananda report said the TMC leader lost his cool when police took strict action against ‘unlawful assembly’ of TMC workers near the booth.

Elsewhere, the family of CPI (M) leader Tito Samajpati were finally able to cast their ballot after the EC sent a team at their residence in Halishahar to allay their fears. Tito’s house was attacked and his family members — including his three-year-old granddaughter was beaten up last night by alleged TMC goons. The family was threatened with “dire consequences” if they step out to vote on Monday. Following media reports, the family members cast their ballot under EC’s supervision. Two people have been arrested.

67.28% polling cast till 3 pm

Sreemoy Talukdar of Firstpost reports from Kolkata

According to Election Commission, 67.28% votes have been cast till 3pm in the fourth phase of West Bengal Assembly polls across Howrah and North 24 Parganas. Sporadic reports of violence and rigging have emerged with an a Left Front (RSP) polling agent being thrashed while on duty by alleged Trinamool Congress goons, reports Kolkata TV.

Sanjib Guha, who has since been admitted to a hospital, identified one Raju Ghosh and Shankar Kar, both TMC workers, as his attackers. “I was doing my polling duty at Khalsa Model High School when these two waylaid me and beat me up. They hit me on my face and chest,” a visibly distressed Guha was quoted, as saying in the TV channel.

TMC, however, has denied the charges saying that they are not involved in the incident. In Bally, Howrah, police allegedly prevented journalists from taking pictures in some booths from where reports emerged of rigging. One Kolkata TV correspondent said he was not allowed to take pictured though CRPF jawans caught one of the men involved in rigging.

Earlier, Vaishali Dalmiya, daughter of ex-BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya, denied any instances of rigging. Vaishali, who is contesting on a TMC ticket, said voting has been “very peaceful”.

CPI(M)-Congress alliance and TMC trade charges

The opposition alliance of CPI(M) and Congress Monday alleged that the ruling Trinammol Congress was unleashing violence for fear of losing the polls drawing
sharp rebuff from the ruling TMC which called the untoward incidents as “fallout of infighting” between the alliance partners.

CPI(M) state committee secretary Surya Kanta Mishra said “From a 3.5-year-old child to the Left candidate, from old people to women! Unnerved TMC goons targeting all! People will give a rebuff by ousting TMC.”

“A 3.5 year old child is even not spared by TMC goons as his father is a Left polling agent! Fear and frustration of loosing ground at its zenith,” Mishra said.

In Dum Dum North constituency, CPI(M) candidate Tanmay Bhattacharya sustained injuries on his hand after stones were hurled at his car. Three persons were arrested, Barrackpore Police Commissioner Niraj Singh said.

PTI

Three arrests, 1200 complaints lodged with EC till 1 pm 

Three people have been arrested in connection with the attack on Tanmay Bhattacharya, the CPIM candidate from Dum Dum North. Bhattcharya had alleged in his FIR that seven TMC-linked goons had smashed the windshield of his car with brickbats when he went to visit an injured party worker in the early hours of voting on Monday.

About 1200 complaints have been lodged with the EC till 1pm in the afternoon. The ruling party came under attack in a few cases.

In Howrah district’s Amta, a TMC leader’s house was attacked and alleged Congress goons thrashed him and his pregnant wife in Jaipur’s Rajbangshi village. The woman has been admitted to a local hospital, say local TV channels.

In Amdanga North 24 Parganas, central forces lathicharged to disperse an ‘unlawful assembly’ of TMC workers. In New Town area of Rajarhat, North 24 Parganas, cops gave Ramesh Majumder, a local tough, the chase before arresting him. Majumder had recently been released after serving time in jail for keeping illegal arms.

Altogether though, increased vigil from police and central forces have so far seen a relatively peaceful exercise of franchise except some sporadic incidents.

FIR lodged against BJP candidate Roopa Ganguly for ‘assaulting’ a voter

An FIR has been lodged against BJP candidate Roopa Ganguly for threatening a voter and “assaulting her”. Roopa, who is contesting from Howrah north constituency, allegedly pushed a voter during a squabble. The actor-politician, who is up against former Bengal cricketer Laxi Ratan Shukla of Trinamool Congress, alleged that large-scale rigging was going in booth Nos 92-96 in her constituency.

“Had the presiding officer done his job, the FIR wouldn’t have been lodged against me,” Roopa was quoted, as saying by ETC News Bangla. The EC, however, has denied any incidence of rigging after launching a probe into the allegations.

Meanwhile, BJP’s other female candidate, Locket Chatterjee, against whom the EC has filed a case for intimidating a polling officer-on-duty during voting in Birbhum was embroiled in a fresh controversy on Monday. She was involved in a quarrel with a TMC polling agent in a booth in Araiadaha where she had come to cast her vote.

In Kamarhatty, North 24 Parganas, the ruling TMC has brought charges of assault against CRPF jawans and said the central paramilitary personnel had demolished their offices and injured 4 workers, according to ETV News Bangla.

Polls in West Bengal, TN cast shadow on MPs’ attendance in LS

The ongoing Assembly elections in West Bengal and the forthcoming polls in Tamil Nadu led to thin attendance in the opposition benches in Lok Sabha on Monday with literally no AIADMK MPs and a handful of Trinamool Congress members being present in the House.

While the seats belonging to 37 AIADMK MPs were completely empty, a few MPs of the 34-member-strong Trinamool Congress that included Ratna De Nag were seen attending the Lok Sabha proceedings on the first day of the session.

PTI

52.22% overall polling recorded till 1 pm

42% voters cast their votes till 11 am

Over 42 per cent voters exercised their franchise in the first four hours of polling for the fourth phase of West Bengal Assembly elections on Monday even as over 100 people were arrested for bogus voting and booth jamming.

Till 11 am, 42.37 per cent voters cast their votes in North 24 Parganas district while the corresponding figure in Howrah was 41.25 per cent. 

Overall, 42.01 per cent voter turnout was recorded for 49 seats in the two districts after polling began at 7 am.

Voting slows down as temperature rises in Kolkata

Booth No 112 in Kamarhatty constituency of North 24 Parganas was completely empty as Firstpost‘s Sreemoy Talukdar went to cast his ballot in phase four of the West Bengal Assembly elections.

There was no one in sight near Sagar Dutta High School, the polling station around 1 pm in the afternoon. CRPF jawans manning the booth, however, said there was serpentine queue since 6 am in the morning. 

“People had lined up from 6 am, well before voting started here. There was a huge rush to finish voting before the scorching sun starts beating down. 

“The crowd started thinning as the say progressed. The queue will return once the heat subsides by 4pm,” a CRPF jawan told Firstpost

Bengal is undergoing a severe heatwave with several people from all over the state suffering heatstroke. The temperature rises to 40 degree Celsius in Kolkata and crosses the 45 mark in districts.

12:42 PM (IST)

FIR registered against BJP candidate Roopa Ganguly

The EC has sought a report on Roopa Ganguly. Indications are that she may be put under surveillance. The BJP candidate from Howrah north has been under the scanner for “pushing a TMC worker” during a scuffle and trying to influence voters. Her opponent Laxmi Ratan Shukla from TMC had lodged a complaint.

12:34 PM (IST)

CPIM candidate Tanmay Bhattacharya allegedly attacked by TMC workers

CPIM candidate Tanmay Bhattacharya from Dum Dum North was injured when alleged TMC goons showered brickbats on his car, leading to the windshield getting smashed. Footage from ABP Ananda showed Bhattacharya bleeding profusely from the hand and promising to file an FIR against 6 TMC workers for “launching a terror campaign” in the area since the last 2 days.

“The goons have been demolishing our party offices and attacking our workers for the last two days. Today, they tried to stop voters from going to booths and threatened them. My car was attacked and I suffered cuts in my hand,” Bhattacharya was quoted, as saying in TV channels.

TMC candidate Chandrima Bhattacharya, has denied the charges, calling it “baseless allegations”.

Meanwhile, EVM machines were lying unprotected and party workers were seen presiding over the voting process, even ‘guiding the voters to the right button’ in a booth in Minakhan village in Basirhat subdivision of North 24 Parganas, according to reports. The EC has removed the presiding officer.

11:56 AM (IST)

22.63% voters cast their votes in North 24 Parganas district, while 20.34% in Howrah 

Till 9 am, 22.63 per cent voters cast their votes in North 24 Parganas district while the corresponding figure in Howrah was 20.34 per cent.

Overall, 21.87 per cent voter turnout was recorded for 49 seats in the two districts after polling began at 7 am.

The phase is crucial as it will decide the fate of several ministers – Finance Minister Amit Mitra, Agriculture Minister Purnendu Basu, Law Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya, Tourism Minister Bratya Basu, Food and Supplies Minister Jyotipriyo Mullick and Agriculture Marketing Minister Aroop Roy.

PTI

11:19 AM (IST)

Trinamool Congress Laxmi Ratan Shukla files complain to the EC against BJP’s Roopa Ganguly

Trinamool Congress candidate from Howrah north Laxmi Ratan Shukla has complained to the Election Commission against BJP’s Roopa Ganguly for “barging inside booths with mobile camera in hand, taking pictures and pushing around TMC workers.” Shukla, the former Bengal cricketer-turned-politician, said Roopa is trying to foment trouble.

“This is a very peaceful locality. There is no tension here. She is intimidating voters, going inside booths and taking pictures in mobile phone. This is illegal and unacceptable. We have lodged a complaint with EC.”

BJP’s actor-politician Roopa, in turn, has alleged that TMC’s deputy mayor is leading the rigging in several booths by jamming them and intimidating voters with biker gangs, reports local TV channels.

Till 11 am in the morning, 21.87 per cent votes were cast as reports came in of violence from different parts of the state.

In Barrackpore subdivision under North 24 Parganas, CPIM candidate Debahish Bhowmick was allegedly beaten up and his identity card was snatched away by TMC workers. Tension prevailed in the are as paramilitary forces and the police resorted to lathicharge to bring the situation under control.

In Kanchrapara in Barrackpore, 56 people were arrested as central forces resorted to lathicharge to disperse outsiders.

11:16 AM (IST)

BJP Leader Rupa Ganguly pushes a TMC worker outside a polling booth in Howrah

11:02 AM (IST)

BJP Leader Roopa Ganguly pushes a TMC worker outside a polling booth in Howrah

11:01 AM (IST)

21.69% voter turnout recorded in the first two hours of polling

10:38 AM (IST)

21.69% voter turnout recorded in the first two hours of polling

10:22 AM (IST)

21.69% voter turnout recorded in the first two hours of polling

10:18 AM (IST)

Voters allege that TMC agents forcing them to vote for the party

10:16 AM (IST)

Complaints of violence and rigging in the early hours of voting

Over 200 complaints have been lodged with the Election Commission in the first two hours of the voting. Both Howrah and North 24 Parganas witnessed incidents of violence and allegations of rigging but most complaints were generated from the latter.

In Madhyamgram, one Dinesh Dhali was arrested for trying to intimidate voters. In ward No 9 of Halishahar, a constituency in North 24 Parganas, alleged Trinamool Congress workers attacked the residence of CPIM activist Tito Samajpati, beating up even his 3-year-old girl, reports ETV News Bangla.

In Salkia, Howrah, TMC workers gheraoed BJP’s star candidate Roopa Ganguly and hurled slogans against her for allegedly trying to ‘influence voters’. Roopa, in turn, brought allegations of booth jam and rigging against the ruling TMC. The actor-politician said that she had to step in because TMC workers have ’taken over’ many booths and presiding officers are staying silent, reports 24 Ghanta.

Voting at a polling station in Salt Lake delayed by over 30 minutes due to technical problems in EVM

Polling begins for 49 constituencies

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