Over 21 per cent votes cast in first two hours of polling

More than 21 per cent votes were cast in the first two hours of polling for 56 seats in the second phase of West Bengal Assembly polls amidst tight security.

Overall, 21.64 per cent voters exercised their franchise till 9 AM in six districts of north Bengal and in Birbhum in south Bengal.

In North Dinajpur, 24 per cent votes were cast while in South Dinajpur it was 25.33 per cent. In Darjeeling it was 19 per cent, Jalpaiguri 20.45 per cent, Malda 18.32 per cent, Alipurduar 20.66 per cent and Birbhum 23.69 per cent.

A clash between BJP and TMC workers today left eight persons injured in Dumrut village in Birbhum district at around 6 AM before polling began, police said.

Three workers from both sides were arrested, they said. Meanwhile, TMC candidate from Siliguri assembly constituency Baichung Bhutia has complained of bogus votes being cast at Sriguru Vidayapith booth. The TMC has registered the complaint with the EC.

Bhutia, former Indian fotball captain, is pitted against Siliguri Mayor and former CPI(M) minister Ashok Bhattacharya.

In Malda, a presiding officer in booth no: 163 in Englishbazar assembly segment was removed after the CPI(M) complained that the officer was allegedly working in favour of Trinamool Congress and allowing impersonation of votes.

The District Election Officer has ordered his removal and replacement. Tension also prevailed at Sian village under Nanoor constituency in Birbhum and at Kankartala village under Dubrajpur constituency with the Forward Bloc alleging that their agents were threatened by the Trinamool Congress.

In Jalpaiguri district, the CPI(M) has complained that their polling agent was not being allowed to enter a booth in Rajganj (SC) constituency by Trinamool Congress workers, a charge denied by the latter.