The bypolls to six Bengal Assembly seats, Haroa, Naihati, Medinipur, Taldangra, Madarihat and Sitai, were held on Wednesday amid reports of voter intimidation, EVM tampering, and clashes between political rivals. The lone incident of a death took place on the outskirts of Naihati in North 24-Paraganas where a local Trinamool leader was shot dead.
Till 5pm, 342 complaints were filed with the Election Commission, with the BJP lodging 66 and the TMC five. The BJP and other Opposition parties accused TMC workers of intimidating voters in several areas, especially in Haroa, Madarihat, Sitai and Taldangra. The ruling TMC dismissed the allegations as baseless. The Telegraph compiles major events of bypoll day.
Intimidation
Where: Booth 104, Bosertari, Sitai seat
What: The BJP polling agent was forced to leave the booth.
Charge: The BJP alleged that their polling agent was threatened with death if he didn’t leave the polling station. Apparently, state police and central forces were there when threats occurred.
Counter: Trinamool claimed the BJP failed to provide polling agents at all booths and raised this charge to create a sensation.
Officialspeak: No complaint received, commission officials said.
Where: Booth 139, Matalhat, Sitai seat
What: BJP agent Girin Barman was pushed out of the booth.
Charge: The BJP alleged that Trinamool goons forced out their polling agent.
Counter: TMC candidate Sangeeta Roy stated that the BJP made fake allegations as it knew it would lose.
Officialspeak: Probe is on, commission officials said.
Where: Booths 63 and 79, Malancha High School, Naihati seat
What: The BJP agent was not allowed to sit in the booth, party banners were torn.
Charge: The BJP alleged that TMC leaders forced out their agent and pulled down all BJP posters and banners on Tuesday night, with police staying mum.
Counter: The BJP was spreading rumours, said a TMC leader.
Officialspeak: Police and central forces were deployed in the area. Voting was peaceful.
Where: Booth 2, Hokdah Adabari SSK, Sitai seat.
What: Buttons 1 and 2 of the EVM were taped over.
Charge: BJP candidate Dipak Kumar Roy alleged that the BJP symbol, in second place on the EVM, was deliberately covered by TMC. He removed the cover and filed a complaint with the Election Commission.
Counter: TMC asserted they had no role and the EC commission officials would see to it.
Officialspeak: Tapes removed, commission was investigating the issue.
Voters queue up outside a polling station in Haroa on Wed Pashupati Das
Violence
Where: Booth 47, Uttar Falti Madhyamik Shikha Kendra, Haroa seat
What: ISF candidate Piyarul Islam alleged that his polling agent, Zakir Hussain Sahaji, was kidnapped on Tuesday night by TMC goons, but cops didn’t act. Islam claimed that polling agents were obstructed at 37 booths, asked for repoll in Basirhat II, Deganga and Haora blocks.
Counter: TMC leaders denied any role.
Official speak: Commission officials stated that the incidents were not directly poll related and they had instructed the local police station to probe. They were awaiting a police report before deciding on repolling.
Where: Booths 73 and 74, Satpati Binapani Goutam Smriti High School, Medinipur seat
What: BJP mandal president Bablu Ghosh was attacked. He was injured to such an extent that he had to be hospitalised.
Charge: Ghosh alleged that goons beat him up with sticks when he was leaving the booth.
Counter: TMC suggested it was an internal BJP conflict.
Official speak: Cops are investigating the incident.
Where: Booth 179, Manikpur FP School, Haroa seat
What: ISF polling agent Mizanur Mondal was reportedly roughed up.
Charge: TMC goons allegedly rampaged through the area since Tuesday night, preventing Opposition activities. Mondal was allegedly beaten when he left his house for the booth.
Counter: TMC claimed it was an internal ISF issue.
Official speak: Probe is on.
