‘3rd term chances for BJP getting bleaker’
Trinamul Congress chairperson Mamata Banerjee said on Wednesday that the BJP’s chances of returning to power are becoming bleak while predicting a rich harvest for her party in Bengal.
Violence erupted early on Monday morning in West Bengal as polling in eight constituencies began for the fourth phase along with 63 other Lok Sabha constituencies spread over eight other states, including Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag.
Sitting BJP MP and Union minister Babul Supriyo’s car was vandalised outside a polling booth in Asansol constituency of West Bengal in the morning.
Clashes were reported between TMC workers and security personnel at booth number 199 in Asansol. A TMC polling agent said no BJP polling agent was present at the booth.
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Read: Lok Sabha Elections 2019 Phase 4
Clashes erupted between TMC workers and security forces outside other polling booths in Asansol after disagreement erupted between BJP and CPI(M) workers after TMC workers insisted on polling despite the absence of central forces.
In another incident, villagers boycott polls at Jemua’s polling booth number 222 and 226 in Asansol due to the absence of central forces at the polling station. Polling has been suspended as voters are protesting.
Taking a dig at Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Babul Supriyo said it was good that people in West Bengal are aware and want central forces so that they can cast their vote.
In Asansol, sitting BJP MP Babul Supriyo is facing Trinamool’s Moon Moon Sen. CPI(M)’s Gouranga Chatterjee is also in the fray.
Meanwhile, BJP delegation including Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Vijay Goel and Anil Baluni will meet the Election Commission today over the issue of poll-related violence in West Bengal.
The eight seats going to polls are Jangipur, Krishnanagar, Ranaghat, Burdwan East, Burdwan-Durgapur, Asansol, Birbhum and Bolpur where 1,34,56,491 voters will decide the fate of 68 candidates.
The first three phases of the Lok Sabha polls in the state were also marred by violence.
West Bengal which has a history of violent clashes is going to polls in all the seven phases.
The seven-phase Lok Sabha elections started on April 11 and would conclude on May 19. Counting of votes will take place on May 23.
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