Bengal Poll Violence: BJP Leader’s Remark On 1st Phase Poll Violence in Lok Sabha Election

Today, three seats in north Bengal – Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, and Cooch Behar – are voting in the first phase of the election. Incidents of violence were reported in Cooch Behar, where clashes between BJP and Trinamool workers occurred. Both parties have filed numerous complaints concerning violence and voter intimidation.

However, a senior polling officer stated that they have received some complaints, but have not received reports of violence. At 3 pm, the seats had recorded a 66.3% turnout, and all three seats are reserved, with Cooch Behar and Jalpaiguri for Scheduled Castes and Alipurduar for Scheduled Tribes. Among the high-profile candidates is Union Minister Nisith Pramanik, contesting for BJP in Cooch Behar.

The political blame game has started after the violence, with allegations from both TMC and BJP. Trinamool leader Udayan Guha said that their workers are being harassed and beaten, while the BJP denied the allegations and claimed that they were targeted in many areas. Union Home Minister Amit Shah urged voters to vote to “prevent infiltration and corruption,” to which Trinamool leader Kunal Ghosh responded, highlighting the job of the Home Minister’s office and the BSF in preventing infiltration.

The political atmosphere in West Bengal is heating up, with both parties making claims and counterclaims as the elections progress.