Five men have been arrested for allegedly assaulting Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Subhendu Sarkar from Kumarganj in South Dinajpur district.

Sarkar alleged that his car was also vandalised by Trinamool Congress workers, on Thursday.

He claimed BJP polling agents were being forcibly removed from several booths.

“I was at one such booths when Trinamool Congress goons started to hit me and even vandalised my car,” Sarkar told newspersons.

Two Trinamool workers detained by central forces in Raiganj

Meanwhile, tension prevailed in Raiganj after central forces detained two Trinamool Congress workers from in front of a party camp on polling day. The incident took place in the Bandar area of Ward No. 17 in Raiganj town.

The Trinamool camp had been set up near a booth at Ten Class Girls’ High School. The residence of Chaitali Ghosh Saha, president of the Uttar Dinajpur district Mahila Trinamool Congress, is located nearby.

Alleging high-handedness, Ms Ghosh Saha claimed that central forces personnel suddenly entered the Trinamool camp and detained two party workers. “One of our polling agents was assaulted by the central forces,” she alleged.

However, central forces refuted the allegations, stating that a group of Trinamool workers had gathered within 100 metres of the polling booth, in violation of election norms. Despite repeated warnings, they did not disperse, following which action was taken in accordance with the law.

Dealt a blow to their campaign, five-time champions Chennai Super Kings have signed Akash Madhwal as a replacement for Ayush Mhatre, who has been ruled out of the remainder of IPL 2026 with a hamstring injury.

Madhwal joins the franchise for a fee of ₹30 lakh, adding depth to CSK’s pace resources midway through the season.

A right-arm pacer, Madhwal rose to prominence with Mumbai Indians in IPL 2023, where he delivered a standout performance, picking up 5/5 in the eliminator against Lucknow Super Giants. He had earlier been part of Royal Challengers Bengaluru as a net bowler in 2021.

However, his returns dipped in subsequent seasons. He managed five wickets in five matches in 2024 and featured for Rajasthan Royals in the previous edition, claiming four wickets in four games. Overall, the 32-year-old has 23 wickets from 17 IPL matches, though he went unsold in the IPL 2026 auction.

Hailing from Roorkee, Madhwal has also led Uttarakhand in domestic cricket, captaining the side in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy during the 2022–23 season.

CSK had earlier assessed Madhwal during trials, with reports suggesting he was in contention as a backup option amid injury concerns in the squad.

Mhatre, India’s U19 World Cup-winning captain, had made a bright start to the season, scoring two fifties in six matches, before sustaining a left hamstring injury while batting in a recent game against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

CSK have had a mixed campaign so far, recovering after three early losses with back-to-back wins, but injuries continue to test their squad depth.

West Bengal on Thursday recorded massive turnout of 78.77 per cent till 3 pm in the first phase of Assembly elections, according to the latest Election Commission of India polling data.

As per the 3 pm data released by the Election Commission, Dakshin Dinajpur recorded the highest turnout at 81.49 per cent, followed by Paschim Medinipur at 81.07 per cent, Jhargram at 81.04 per cent, and Birbhum at 80.22 per cent.

Murshidabad also saw strong voter participation at 79.72 per cent, while Darjeeling and Malda recorded comparatively lower but still significant turnouts of 76.54 per cent and 76.22 per cent, respectively.

At 9 am, the voter turnout had stood at 18.76 per cent. The figure rose significantly over the next two hours, reaching 41.11 per cent by 11 am across all 152 constituencies. By 1 pm, the turnout climbed further to 62.18 per cent, reflecting steady participation by voters.

With multiple districts reporting exceptionally high voter turnout figures, the state is set for record polling. In 2021, Bengal recorded an 82.30 per cent turnout and with three more hours to go, the state could see record participation.

The BJP sees the higher voting percentage as a sign of its victory. Addressing a rally in Nadia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that wherever the country witnesses a massive rise in turnout, the results favour the BJP.

“We have observed in the past that wherever the country has witnessed a massive voter turnout, the BJP has achieved a resounding victory,” Modi said.

He further added, “On May 4th, the victory celebrations for the BJP will take place in Bengal as well. Sweets will be distributed, and ‘Jhal Muri’ will be handed out too.”

The polling began at 7 am across 152 Assembly constituencies and will continue till 6 pm.

Amid an intense and often bitter election battle in West Bengal, where allegations of violence, welfare politics, and women’s safety have taken centre stage, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday sharpened the BJP’s pitch with a targeted outreach to women voters. Addressing a rally in Nadia, he accused the ruling Trinamool Congress of failing to protect and empower women, and framed the contest as a fight for dignity, security, and economic independence of “Bengal’s sisters and daughters.” He stressed, “Our sisters and daughters have had to bear the brunt of the TMC’s ‘Maha Jungle Raj.’

PM Modi added, “The TMC can never truly empower the women of Bengal. You witnessed an example of this in Parliament just last week. The BJP seeks to implement a 33% reservation for women in both Parliament and the State Assemblies. This matter was debated in Parliament, yet the TMC does not want the women of Bengal to secure more seats. Consequently, in collusion with the Congress, they blocked the passage of this legislation in Parliament. Every woman in Bengal will undoubtedly punish the TMC for this…”

With voting underway and political rhetoric peaking, the Prime Minister sought to consolidate support by unveiling a “10-point guarantee” for women. He promised strict law enforcement, direct financial support, and expanded welfare coverage if the Bharatiya Janata Party comes to power in the state.

#WATCH | Nadia, West Bengal: Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, “Our sisters and daughters have had to bear the brunt of the TMC’s ‘Maha Jungle Raj.’ The gang rape and murder of a minor girl in Hanskhali stands as a stark example of the TMC’s fear-driven model. Incidents of… pic.twitter.com/9ytF6X0d6Y

— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2026

Here are the 10 guarantees announced by the Prime Minister:

• Strict action against crimes: The government will ensure the toughest punishment for crimes against women, set up women’s police stations in every block, and deploy special safety squads on the streets.

• Women in policing: Large-scale recruitment of young women into the state police force will be undertaken to improve representation and responsiveness.

• Direct cash support: Under the proposed ‘Matri Shakti Bhorosa Card’, women will receive Rs Rs 36,000 annually through direct benefit transfer.

• Support for higher education: Financial assistance of Rs 50,000 will be provided to young women pursuing graduation.

• Aid for expectant mothers: Pregnant women will be given financial support of up to Rs 21,000.

• Infant nutrition support: An additional Rs 36,000 will be allocated to ensure proper nutrition for infants.

• Savings for daughters: Benefits under the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana will be expanded to secure the future of girl children.

• Self-employment push: Women will be eligible for Mudra loans up to Rs 20 lakh, with a push to create “Lakhpati Didis” through entrepreneurship support.

• Healthcare coverage: Women will get free treatment up to Rs 5 lakh under Ayushman Bharat, along with free cervical cancer vaccination and sickle cell screening.

• Housing ownership: Under PM Awas Yojana, houses for poor families will be registered in the name of women, with Rs 1.5 lakh directly transferred for construction.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday conducted a surprise inspection of Aruna Asaf Ali Hospital and reviewed arrangements for patients.

During the visit, CM Gupta interacted with patients and their families to assess arrangements and the availability of doctors.

She reviewed feedback from doctors, staff and the hospital administration, and issued necessary directions to make healthcare services more modern, swift, compassionate and citizen-centric.

The Chief Minister said that her government is committed to make the healthcare system in Delhi accessible to all where every patient recieve timely treatment with modern facilities.

“Our commitment is to ensure that every citizen of Delhi experiences a healthcare system where treatment is timely, facilities are modern, surroundings are clean, and every patient is served with dignity,” she said.

Keeping the summer season in view, the hospital administration has been directed to accord highest priority to the availability of medicines, drinking water, cleanliness, patient convenience and all essential arrangements.

Fresh and disturbing details have surfaced in the rape and murder of a 22-year-old woman, the daughter of an Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer, with the Delhi Police arresting the accused and reconstructing the sequence of events.

The victim, an IIT Delhi graduate preparing for the civil services examination, was found dead at her home in southeast Delhi’s Kailash Hills on Wednesday morning. Police said the crime unfolded inside her study room, a quiet terrace unit she had set up to focus on UPSC preparation, turning what was meant to be a space of discipline into the site of a brutal attack.

How the accused entered and what triggered the assault

According to investigators, the accused, Rahul Meena, who worked as a domestic help and was known to the family, entered the house by claiming that ‘Aunty ne bulaya tha’ for money. The victim was studying in her room when he approached her and demanded cash.

When she refused, an argument broke out. Police said the accused warned her not to raise an alarm. As she began to scream, he allegedly assaulted her with a heavy object, striking her multiple times.

Sources said he first attempted to strangulate her. After she fell unconscious, her clothes were found disturbed, and sexual assault is suspected to have taken place at that stage.

Investigators added that the victim suffered multiple injuries, with bloodstains found across several parts of the house, indicating the intensity of the attack.

Locker breach, robbery and escape trail

After the assault, the accused allegedly dragged the victim to another room where the lockers were kept. Police said he attempted to open a digital lock using her fingerprint, leaving blood traces, and later broke open another locker using a screwdriver.

He fled with jewellery and cash, estimated at around Rs 2.5 lakh. Before escaping, he changed into the victim’s brother’s trousers, as his own clothes were stained with blood.

CCTV footage captured him entering the colony at around 6:30 am and leaving roughly an hour later.

Digital clues, hotel stay and arrest

Police tracked him down using digital clues – a stolen phone, hotel Wi-Fi records, and his activity on Instagram. He had reportedly checked into a hotel in Dwarka and was in contact with a relative in Gurugram.

Investigators said he had taken steps to evade detection, including selling mobile phones and using a stolen handset linked to an earlier case in Alwar.

He was eventually arrested at the Dwarka hotel. The Saket Court on Thursday sent him to four days of police custody for further interrogation.

‘It just happened’: Accused shows no remorse

Police sources said the accused displayed an unusually calm demeanour during questioning and showed no visible remorse.

He allegedly told investigators that he had gone to the house only to take money and said that “it just happened”. He also reportedly stated, “If Didi had given the money, this would not have happened.”

According to sources, he appeared composed and matter-of-fact while responding to questions, prompting investigators to examine his psychological profile.

A life cut short

The victim, described by officers as disciplined and focused, had been preparing for her first UPSC attempt. Her study room had books, notes and study plans laid out everywhere. It showed how seriously she was preparing.

Her father found her unconscious and rushed her to hospital, but doctors declared her dead.

Police have registered a case of rape, murder and robbery. Forensic teams are still examining the evidence to piece together what happened inside the house.

A sudden accident on polling day caused panic at a booth in the Durgapur East Assembly constituency after a portion of the ceiling collapsed, injuring a woman voter.

The incident took place on Thursday morning at Booth No. 230, located at Kuldihi Primary School. According to reports, the voter, identified as Tumpa Hazra, had arrived at the polling station to cast her vote and was waiting in line when a section of the ceiling suddenly broke off and fell on her.

She sustained injuries and was immediately rescued by those present and taken to a private nursing home in Bidhannagar, Durgapur, for treatment.

Although the incident triggered brief panic at the booth, polling was not significantly affected, administrative sources said. The situation was quickly brought under control, and voting resumed its normal course.

Some residents have alleged that poor maintenance of the building, which was being used as a polling station, led to the incident. However, officials stated that the matter is under investigation and necessary steps will be taken.

The Delhi High Court today ordered the removal of all social media links carrying recordings of the April 13 court proceedings before Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma in connection with a recusal plea filed by Arvind Kejriwal.

During the hearing, the court was informed that major platforms like Google and Meta had already taken down the flagged content. The bench also made the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) a party to the case and issued notices to all respondents, including Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, and others, asking them to file their replies.

A bench of Justice V Kameswar Rao and Justice Manmeet Arora was hearing a PIL filed by advocate Vaibhav Singh. The plea alleges that Kejriwal, Sisodia, journalist Ravish Kumar, and others recorded and circulated court proceedings on social media without permission.

The court made it clear that recording and sharing court proceedings is strictly prohibited under High Court rules unless prior approval is taken. It also referred to provisions under the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, which require social media platforms to take reasonable steps to prevent unlawful content from being shared.

The bench directed that any remaining links must be removed immediately. It added that if such videos appear again, platforms must act quickly to take them down once informed and notify the Registrar General.

The judges also raised concern over the impact such circulation could have on the judiciary. Meanwhile, intermediaries told the court that tracing the original uploader or automatically blocking such content remains technically challenging.

Senior Advocate Arvind P Datar, appearing for one of the platforms, said the content was removed after official communication and stressed that intermediaries cannot function as censors. Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma told the court the issue directly affects the credibility of the judiciary and needs serious attention.

The case is now scheduled for further hearing on July 6.

Shubhendu Sarkar, BJP candidate from West Bengal’s Kumarganj, was on Thursday allegedly assaulted by a group of men during the first phase of voting in the state. A purported video of the incident shared by BJP leader Amit Thakur captured the alleged attack and the chaos that ensued outside a polling booth in Kumarganj.

The video shows Sarkar heading towards a polling booth with his Personal Security Officer (PSO), when a man approached him and said something in Bengali. The BJP leader initially ignored him and kept moving ahead. However, the man allegedly continued to follow Sarkar while shouting and pointing fingers at him, leading to a heated argument.

Soon, a few more men joined the confrontation and were seen arguing with the BJP candidate. Sensing the trouble, the PSO tried to take the Sarkar away, but the men began to assault him. One of them is seen slapping the BJP leader, while another punches him.

As the PSO tried to shield Sarkar, another person pushed them both towards a wall. The PSO somehow managed to take the BJP leader away. As they were leaving, another person coming grabbed Sarkar from the front and assaulted him. Soon, others also joined him, and they too beat the BJP leader black and blue.

https://twitter.com/Amit_Thakur_BJP/status/2047225260140023900

The incident follows another incident of violence involving BJP leader Agnimitra Paul, whose car was attacked by unknown miscreants.

Speaking to news agency UNI, Paul said that her car was attacked during her second visit to a booth in Rahmatnagar. “I had just sat down in my car, and the driver had started the engine when suddenly we got jolted by the sound of glass shattering,” Pal said.

According to her, a stone had been pelted at her car, causing the rear windscreen of the Toyota Innova to shatter immediately.

“We could not recognise those who hurled the stone, but we managed to get out of the area,” Pal said before describing the incident as a “repeat of the 2021 incident.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday called for Action Taken Reports following two separate incidents of poll violence in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district, ECI officials said.

In Nowda, a clash broke out among Trinamool Congress and Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) workers, where vehicles linked to AJUP candidate Humayun Kabir were attacked.

In Domkal, Left workers and supporters were allegedly barred from casting their votes. Clashes were reported from the area on Thursday as well.

In Kumarganj,  BJP candidate Shubhendu Sarkar was assaulted by a group of men outside a polling booth. His PSO managed to extract him and the leader was reportedly admitted to hospital for check up.

A vehicle carrying Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Agnimitra Paul was allegedly attacked as Paul was leaving a polling station at Asansol’s Rahmatnagar area.

Paul told UNI that her car was attacked during her second visit to a booth in Rahmatnagar. “I had just sat down in my car and the driver had started the engine when suddenly we got jolted by the sound of glass shattering,” Pal said.

According to her a stone had been pelted at her car causing the rear windscreen of the Toyota Innova to shatter immediately.

“We could not recognise those who hurled the stone but we managed to get out of the area,” Pal said before describing the incident as a “repeat of the 2021 incident.

She said that similar acts of intimidation had occurred in the past in the Rahmatnagar, which she described as a minority-dominated area. “Minorities are not the property of the TMC. These acts will not deter us,” she said.

West Bengal recorded a voter turnout of 62.18 per cent till 1 pm on Thursday as the first phase of polling is underway for 152 assembly constituencies spread across 16 districts, according to the Election Commission of India data.

As per the 1 pm polling data, West Medinipur recorded the highest voter turnout at 65.77 per cent, followed by Jhargram at 65.31 per cent, Bankura at 64.85 per cent and Birbhum at 63.93 per cent. South Dinajpur saw 63.05 per cent turnout, East Medinipur at 62.90 per cent and Murshidabad at 62.71 per cent.

Alipurduar registered 60.03 per cent polling till 1 pm, while North Dinajpur saw 60 per cent, Coochbehar 60.75 per cent, West Bardhaman 60.37 per cent, Jalpaiguri 60.84 per cent, Darjeeling 59.81 per cent, Purulia 59.83 per cent and Kalimpong 59.52 per cent. Malda recorded the lowest turnout at 58.45 per cent.

In Tamil Nadu, 56.81 per cent turnout was recorded by 1 pm. As per the data shared by the Commission of India, Tirupur saw 62.97 per cent turnout, followed by Namakkal at 62.51 per cent, Erode at 61.79 per cent, and Salem at 61.42 per cent.

The turnout in Dharmapuri was recorded at 59.79 per cent, Coimbatore at 58.24 per cent, Tiruchirappalli at 57.66 per cent, Madurai at 54.75 per cent, Chennai at 54.58 per cent, and Kanniyakumari at 50.35 per cent.

Amid the packed schedule of the Indian men’s cricket team, former IPL chairman Lalit Modi has slammed the BCCI for what he called “outrageous scheduling”, warning that players are being pushed to the brink.

Modi’s remarks come amid reports that India head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill are unhappy with the scheduling of a Test against Afghanistan just days after the conclusion of IPL 2026, raising concerns over workload and recovery.

Also Read: Black Magic in IPL? Lalit Modi rejects viral CSK letter, says ‘one owner did indulge in this practice’

Reacting to reports of senior players potentially being rested due to burnout, Modi urged the board to prioritise player welfare over commercial demands.

“I agree. The BCCI are killing their players with the hectic scheduling. Guys stop this outrageous scheduling you are putting the boys through. They need time with their families and JUST OFF TIME – you don’t need the money. I CREATED ANNUITY REVENUE which the world envy’s. You will never have to worry about that sitting on those chairs. Do something good with your decisions, for heaven’s sake. The welfare of the players is paramount. Don’t overwork them – that’s why I have said the Board should have a majority of players on it.

“Get a professional CEO for heaven’s sake. Pay a top salary and put human resources and SELF-DEVELOPMENT OF PLAYERS AT the HEART of the BCCI organisation. Work on upgrading stadiums and giving world-class fan experiences rather than working the players like MULES. Let the organisation get a HEART & SOUL,” Modi posted on X.

Also Read: ‘Integrity Non-Negotiable’: Lalit Modi flags concerns amid Rajasthan Royals phone row probe

The debate comes ahead of India’s upcoming Test against Afghanistan, a fixture that does not carry World Test Championship points, potentially allowing selectors to rotate the squad and manage player workload.

Today, April 23, 2026, was no different for Shillong Teer enthusiasts in Meghalaya. As eyes stayed glued to results and whispers turned into cheers (or sighs), the daily ritual of Shillong Teer once again kept everyone hooked.

Morning winners

The day kicked off early with the Morning Teer, and it didn’t disappoint regular players. The first round winning number came out as 06, while the second round settled at 94.

Meanwhile, in Juwai Morning Teer, the first round result stood at 23, followed by 81 in the second round.

Also Read: Shillong Teer Result Today: Check April 22 Winning Numbers

Afternoon results still under watch

As the day moves forward, several key results are still being awaited. The Juwai Teer results are scheduled for 2:15 pm (first round) and 3 pm (second round).

For the main Shillong Teer game, the first round result is expected at 3:58 pm, followed by the second round at 4:55 pm. These are the most closely watched announcements of the day.

Khanapara and night games

The excitement doesn’t stop with Shillong alone. Khanapara Teer results are lined up for 4 pm (first round) and 4:35 pm (second round), adding another layer of anticipation.

Later in the evening, Shillong Night Teer takes over, with results expected at 8:15 pm for the first round and 9 pm for the second.

About Shillong Teer

Shillong Teer is not just another lottery. It is held daily at the historic Polo Ground in Shillong and is organised by the Khasi Hills Archery Sports Association.

The association plays a key role in preserving the traditional sport of archery in the region. Alongside Shillong Teer, other popular versions like Shillong Morning Teer, Juwai Teer, Jowai Ladrymbai Teer, Khanapara Teer, and Night Teer keep the culture alive while engaging thousands of participants every day.

How the game actually works

The format is simple but unique. Shillong Teer is played in two quick rounds, each lasting around two minutes.

In the first round, archers shoot 30 arrows, followed by 20 arrows in the second round. Players place bets by predicting how many arrows will hit the target. They choose a number between 0 and 99, and the final count becomes the winning number.

Tickets are easily available at authorised counters and come in small denominations like ₹1, ₹5, ₹10, ₹20, and ₹50, making it accessible to almost everyone.

Prize money and official results

The prize depends on how accurate the prediction is and how much money is placed on the bet. For example, a correct ₹1 bet can win around ₹80 in the first round and ₹60 in the second round.

If someone correctly predicts both rounds, the winnings can go even higher. All official results are declared by KHASA, and players are advised to check only authorised Meghalaya Teer platforms for accurate updates.

TMC leader Pabitra Kar and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari had a brief face-to-face encounter when their vehicles crossed each other. Pabitra Kar’s vehicle continued honking while Adhikari was interacting with the media.

Speaking to the media, Pabitra Kar said that Suvendu Adhikari has no chance of winning this time and claimed he would secure a decisive victory by a margin of 30,000 votes. On the other hand, Adhikari has been touring different parts of Nandigram to inspect the polling process.

Pabitra Kar further said he has no worries and asserted that even though Adhikari hails from Nandigram, he will lose the election by 30,000 votes.

Notably, Pabitra Kar was once a close aide of Suvendu Adhikari. Ahead of the Assembly elections, he switched parties and joined the All India Trinamool Congress. He is now contesting against Adhikari from Nandigram as a TMC candidate, while Adhikari represents the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Suffering a heavy blow in their preparations, India slumped to a third straight defeat as South Africa clinched an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match T20I series, with skipper Harmanpreet Kaur admitting her side had “no answers” to the hosts’ batting onslaught.

India posted a competitive 192/4, powered by a fluent 66 from Harmanpreet and an aggressive 64 from Shafali Verma. The visitors looked in control with key partnerships, including a 73-run stand between Harmanpreet and Shafali.

However, the total proved insufficient as South Africa chased it down comfortably, led by captain Laura Wolvaardt, who smashed a record 115. Alongside Sune Luus, she stitched together a massive 183-run opening stand that completely took the game away from India.

“We were really looking at the score and that wasn’t that bad. We would have put a really decent total on the board, but I think we should give credit to the South Africa batters the way they batted, and I think they didn’t give us a single chance to come back in the game… I know we didn’t have any second answer for them,” Harmanpreet said after the match.

India’s bowling unit struggled throughout, with Shreyanka Patil the only wicket-taker (1/30). The lack of breakthroughs in the powerplay proved costly, something Harmanpreet acknowledged.

“When we looked at the bowling, I think it didn’t go as well as we had hoped. We were definitely looking for a few wickets in the powerplay… but unfortunately, for six overs, they were quite expensive. The bowling really needed to improve… we are not up to the mark,” she added.

With the Women’s T20 World Cup approaching, Harmanpreet stressed the need for quick improvements, particularly from the bowling unit.

“As a bowling group, we really need to work hard if we have to keep doing well in the future… it’s a lot of learning for us and we will try to get better in the next games.”

Despite the loss, the skipper found positives in her own return to form, scoring a brisk 66 off 38 balls.

“Always good to get a few runs for the team and contribute when it was needed the most… but I know I didn’t help the team win today,” she said.

India will now look to avoid a whitewash when the two sides face off in the fourth T20I at The Wanderers Stadium on Saturday.

Violence ripped through parts of West Bengal during polling, turning the high-stakes Assembly elections into a battleground, with clashes, stone pelting and lathi charges reported from multiple districts. From Murshidabad to Birbhum, scenes of chaos and bloodshed overshadowed the voting process, raising serious concerns over law and order.

Murshidabad emerged as the epicentre of unrest, where tensions spiralled in the Nowda assembly constituency after workers of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AUJP) clashed violently. Stones were hurled from both sides as police and central forces struggled to regain control.

Murshidabad, West Bengal: A clash broke out between TMC and Humayun Kabir’s Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) workers in Murshidabad pic.twitter.com/pEXGJn2bgG

— IANS (@ians_india) April 23, 2026

#WATCH | West Bengal Elections 2026 | Visuals of the violence in Murshidabad as a clash broke out between TMC and AUJP workers.

Stones are also being pelted at each other. Police and central security forces try to control the situation. pic.twitter.com/ScMeW1gSNJ

— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2026

Security personnel eventually resorted to a lathi charge to disperse the mob. “We are trying to control the situation,” said Additional Superintendent of Police Majid Khan.

#WATCH | Murshidabad, West Bengal: ASP Majid Khan says, “We are trying to control the situation.” https://t.co/U1JzthSTa4 pic.twitter.com/dF9Jqc7GKt

— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2026

The violence also saw property damage, including the vandalism of a car belonging to AUJP founder Humayun Kabir. Alleging an attack, Kabir accused the ruling party of intimidation and “goondagiri,” while demanding action against police officials. The TMC denied the charges, with local leader Sofiuzzaman Saikh accusing Kabir of attempting to disrupt polling with “anti-social elements.”

#WATCH | West Bengal Elections 2026 | TMC workers smashed the car of a worker of the Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AUJP) as a clash broke out between the TMC and Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AUJP) party workers in Murshidabad. pic.twitter.com/2XKV0Y4rZ3

— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2026

BJP polling agent suffers head injury in Labhpur violence

In a separate incident, at Booth No. 68 in Labhpur, BJP candidate Debashish Ojha’s election agent Bishwajit Mandal was allegedly assaulted by TMC workers, leaving him with a head injury. The episode has added to the growing list of complaints of violence and intimidation during polling.

After being allegedly attacked by TMC party workers, Bishwajit Mandal said, “I am an election agent…Few people complained to us that the entire booth is being captured….On my way back, I was attacked on the road. The booth was 100 metres away from the booth. They surrounded me from all sides. There were pieces of glass in my pocket…They destroyed the entire car…”

Suri, West Bengal: On being allegedly attacked by TMC party workers, BJP candidate Debashish Ojha’s election agent Bishwajit Mandal says, “I am an election agent…Few people complained us that the entire booth is being captured….On my way back, I was attacked on the road. The… pic.twitter.com/c4DPizOa57

— IANS (@ians_india) April 23, 2026

Poll clashes at Birbhum, one Congress worker injured

The first phase of the West Bengal elections witnessed clashes between the Trinamool Congress and the Congress at Murarai in Birbhum district on Thursday afternoon. The clashes took place near a polling station in Murarai and one Congress worker was injured. The Central Forces had to resort to a baton charge to disperse the clashing TMC and Congress workers. The injured Congress party worker was taken to a nearby health facility, where he received treatment for his injuries.

BJP worker attacked in Jhargram, taken to hospital

A BJP worker, identified as Bishwajit Mahato, was allegedly attacked in Jhargram district on Thursday, triggering tension in the area. According to initial reports, Mahato sustained injuries in the assault and was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment. After receiving medical attention, he was taken to Jhargram Police Station.

Jhargram, West Bengal: BJP worker Bishwajit Mahato was attacked and later taken to hospital before being moved to Jhargram Police Station pic.twitter.com/yhOqGu32f9

— IANS (@ians_india) April 23, 2026

BJP candidate Subhendu Sarkar alleges attack by TMC workers, car vandalised in Kumarganj

BJP candidate Subhendu Sarkar also alleged that he was attacked and his vehicle vandalised by Trinamool Congress workers in his Assembly constituency during polling. Speaking to the media, Sarkar claimed that BJP polling agents were “forcibly removed” from 8-10 booths across the constituency. He said he intervened to ensure their re-entry and later visited Booth No. 24 to assess the situation, where the alleged attack took place.

“When I reached Booth No. 24, they attacked my team and me. It was clearly an attempt to create fear and intimidation,” Sarkar said. He also alleged that central forces deployed at the polling station were inside the premises but were not present when the incident occurred, adding that he was accompanied only by his bodyguard at the time. Sarkar further accused Mamata Banerjee of acting out of “fear and desperation,” claiming that the TMC was facing electoral defeat in the region.

#WATCH | Kumarganj, West Bengal: BJP candidate from Kumarganj, Subhendu Sarkar, claims that he was injured and his car was vandalised by TMC workers who attacked him in Kumarganj Assembly constituency. https://t.co/5a3dvVqYHA pic.twitter.com/FB2WQvwiCl

— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2026

As accusations fly and violence spreads across districts, the election has been marred by repeated disruptions, with polling-day clashes emerging as a major flashpoint in Bengal’s fierce political contest.