Clashes Reported During Second Phase of West Bengal Assembly Elections

West Bengal's second phase polling saw clashes between BJP and TMC agents in Khanakul and Nadia districts. Voting resumed peacefully in Khanakul after a minor incident. Incidents of violence and intimidation were reported in Nadia, with arrests made. BJP alleged attacks on its booth agents. Voter turnout reached 18.39 percent by 9 am.

Amidst the ongoing second phase polling across 142 constituencies in West Bengal, BJP and TMC polling agents reportedly clashed at booth numbers 147 and 148 at the Ramchandrapur Adarsha Bidyabhaban polling station in the Khanakul assembly constituency.

According to CRPF Sub-Inspector Usha, the voting in the region has resumed peacefully following the "minor incident". "It was a minor incident. Right now, voting is taking place in a peaceful manner. CRPF's all-women 240th Battalion is deployed here," she said.

A violent clash erupted in the morning near the primary high school in the Hatra Bazaar area located in the Nadia district. The polling booth is set up at Hatra Bazaar Primary School, where tensions reportedly flared between workers of the All India Trinamool Congress and ISF.

According to the Chapra police, several people have been arrested in connection with the incident. Congress candidate from Chapra, Ashif Khan, alleged that TMC supporters and leaders are intimidating voters across the area. He claimed that Congress booth agents were not allowed to enter the polling station and were threatened at their homes. Ashif Khan said he plans to lodge a formal complaint with the election authorities regarding the incident.

Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Jagannath Sarkar has alleged that a party booth agent was beaten up by Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers in the Nadia-Chapra Assembly constituency. He has demanded strict action against the people responsible. Sarkar stated, "Chapra is a minority-dominated area where 'gundagardi' happens with help from TMC, which doesn't want any BJP booth agents present in the constituency."

Around 5:30 am on polling day, BJP polling agent Mosharraf Mir, assigned to booth number 53 under Hatra Panchayat, was allegedly assaulted with iron rods and firearms by unidentified individuals. Police officials rescued him and admitted him to Chapra Rural Hospital, where he is undergoing treatment for head injuries.

West Bengal recorded a voter turnout of 18.39 per cent until 9 am. Purba Bardhaman leads with 20.86%, followed by Hooghly at 20.16%. Nadia recorded 18.50%, North 24 Parganas 17.81%, Kolkata North 17.28%, Kolkata South 16.81%, and Howrah 17.76%.

The second phase covers 142 out of 294 seats in West Bengal, with a total electorate of approximately 3.21 crore. Results will be declared on May 4.