Kolkata, May 7 (UNI) Bengal witnessed an estimated 49.27 per cent turnout in the first till 1 PM on Tuesday in the third phase election to four Lok Sabha seats.
While Murshidabad recorded 50.58 per cent polling, Jangipur recorded 49.91 per cent, Malda (North) 47.89 per cent and Malda (South) 48.65 per cent.Bypoll is also being held simultaneously at the Bhagobangola Assembly seat in Mursidabad, where 46.40 per cent polling was recorded till 1 PM.
In all 73,37,651 electorate, including 26,12,395 women and 154 transgenders, will have to pick the winners from a pool of 57 aspirants in the four Lok Sabha seats.
Meanwhile, CPI(M) candidate from Murshidabad Lok Sabha constituency in Bengal Md Salim lodged a complaint with the Election Commission of India (ECI), accusing the Trinamool Congress activists of “preventing” voters from entering the booth at Rani Nagar.
Salim said, ” I have no faith in local police, who remain inactive. I’ve called up the ASP to assist the voters or I’ll chase the unwanted people obstructing the voters from entering the polling booth no 39. ”
Salim also alleged that the TMC activists have been constantly threatening the common voters.
In one of the booths, a fake agent was arrested in Murshidabad after Salim identified the fake TMC agent, who was later arrested.
BJP Jangipur candidate Dhananjay Ghosh has also alleged that his two agents were prevented from entering the booth at Hariharpara.
He further alleged that the state police deployed outside polling centre remain static despite complaints that the TMC supporters were preventing voters outside the polling booths.
He said the central forces were inside the booth premises but outlay to the booths were obstructed by the ruling party supporters.
TMC, however, refuted all such allegations and said, ” In Jangipur LS constituency sheer display of hooliganism by BJP candidate Dhananjay Ghosh. He heckled and assaulted our Block President Sanjay Ghosh. ”
Quick response team of Central forces has reached Rani Nagar under Murshidabad Parliamentary constituency where bombs were hurled.
The ECI has also sought report regarding fisticuff between BJP candidate for Jangipur and TMC nominee as the latter allegedly rushed at the BJP candidate but the central force and state police intervened to restore the situation.
Murshidabad BJP candidate Gaurishankar Ghosh alleged that in Azimganj booth 64 Presiding Officer is the headmistress of the same school.
Ghosh said the matter was communicated to the poll panel, which assured of looking into the controversial issue.
In Malda’s Ratua bombs were charged to scare the voters.While the TMC and BJP are contesting in all four seats, Congress has put up candidates in three constituencies and CPI(M) in one.
In Malda Uttar, sitting BJP MP Khagen Murmu is facing off against former IPS officer and Trinamool Congress candidate Prasun Banerjee, who joined the TMC immediately after quitting the police service. The Congress has nominated Mostaque Alam.
Sreerupa Mitra Chowdhury, also known as Nirvaya Devi, represents BJP in Malda Dakshin, contesting against Shanawaz Ali Rehan of the TMC, while Isha Khan Choudhury is from Congress.
The Jangipur Lok Sabha seat has a significant legacy linked to the late President Pranab Mukherjee. who won from the constituency in 2004 and 2009. Khalilur Rahman of TMC, the incumbent, faces competition from BJP’s Dhananjay Ghosh and Congress’ Mortazza Hossain in a triangular fight.
Murshidabad seat is likely to see competition among CPI-M’s state secretary Mohd Salim, Trinamool’s Abu Taher Khan, and BJP’s Gouri Shankar Ghosh. Abu Taher Khan is the incumbent MP.
Malda Uttar has a total 18,12,035 electorate, including 9,15,835 women and 53 transgender. Malda (D) has 17,82,159 voters, including 8,82,587 female and 48 transgender.
Jangipur has 18,05,360 electorate, including 8,88,085 women and 23 transgender. The electorate strength of Murshidabad is 18,88,097, including 9,25,888 women and 28 transgender.
