Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday visited several booths across the high-profile Nandigram constituency, where she is pitted against her protege-turned-adversary Suvendu Adhikari of the BJP, as sporadic incidents of violence and allegations of booth jamming marred the voting process in the second phase.

According to the TMC sources, Banerjee, who had earlier decided to leave the area for campaigning in North Bengal after the polling ended at 6:30 PM on Thursday, changed her plans this morning.

"She has decided to stay back and leave tomorrow. Banerjee will monitor the situation in the area, and if needed, she will go to spots," a senior TMC leader accompanying her had said.

After monitoring the situation in the assembly segment, where local TMC leaders complained that their election agents were not being allowed to enter booths, Mamata left her rented residence at Reyapara around 1 pm.

She then visited polling centres at Sonachura, Reyapara, Balarampur, Boyal, Nandigram block 1 and 2.

"She will also travel to various villages and booths in areas where there have been reports of threats, intimidation and jamming," Mamata’s election agent Sheikh Sufiyan said.

In the Boyal area in Nandigram, villagers alleged that BJP supporters stopped them from going to polling booths.

As soon as Mamata reached Boyal, BJP supporters chanted 'Jai Shri Ram' slogans.

Supporters of the two parties then indulged in violence, as TMC leaders demanded re-polling in booth number 7, police said.

A huge police contingent was rushed to the spot to control the situation, they added.

Meanwhile, Adhikari's convoy was allegedly attacked with stones at two places while visiting booths in the assembly constituency.

His motorcade was also gheraoed as TMC supporters shouted slogans against the BJP leader.

Security forces patrolling the area dispersed the mob, making way for his convoy to move onwards.

"I am used to such protests by TMC goons. They are all followers of Mamata begum. Let them do whatever they want till the results are out on May 2," Adhikari told reporters.

According to TMC sources, Mamata, who was scheduled to leave the area for campaigning in North Bengal after the end of polling at 6.30 pm, changed her plans this morning.

The entire Nandigram constituency has been placed under Section 144 to avoid any untoward incident.

BJP worker found dead in Nandigram

Meanwhile, a BJP worker, identified as Uday Dubey, was found hanging near the Reyapara area in Nandigram Block-1.

The BJP claimed that Dubey had suspectedly ended his life, as he was being constantly threatened by the TMC goons.

The ruling party in West Bengal termed the allegation as "baseless".

A team of police personnel has been deployed there to avoid any untoward incident.

High turnout till 3 pm

The second phase of polling in Bengal's eight-phase elections, including in the high-stakes Nandigram seat, recorded a high voter turnout of 71.07 per cent till 3 pm.

Though the situation was tense in a few areas with a few skirmishes reported, tight security cover in all 30 constituencies which went to polls averted any major incidents.

Strict adherence to Covid-19 protocols has been ensured in all places, officials said.

The entire Nandigram constituency has been placed under Section 144, to avoid any untoward incident.

In another incident, a person was detected with a fake voter ID and was subsequently arrested.