TMC involved in rigging, charges BJP; demands repoll in Barrackpore seat

'Trinamool Congress wants to win the elections by rigging. Violence is taking place in West Bengal during polls,' BJP leader and Unon Minister Prakash Javadekar said addressing a press conference here.

Goons of Trinamool Congress were threatening the voters who were not their supporters, he said.

At many places, goons of Trinamool Congress were going with the voters to the EVMs and pressing the buttons themsleves in presence of officials, Mr Javadekar said.

'It is our demand that re-election should be held in Barrackpore,' he said.

Amidst sporadic violence, particularly in Barrackpore, an estimated 34 per cent of 1,16,91,889 electorate exercised their franchise in the first three hours till noon to decide the fate of 83 candidates in the fifth of the seven-phase election to seven South Bengal Lok Sabha seats of Bangaon, Barrackpore, Howrah, Uluberia, Sreerampur, Hooghly and Arambag.

Arjun Singh, BJP candidate from Barrackpore alleged that he was attacked by TMC workers. He said: "I was attacked by TMC goons who have been brought from outside. Those people were scaring away our voters. I am injured."

EVM malfunction was reported at three booths in Salkia area of Howrah. Voting is yet to start at Kedarnath Rajgaria Girls School premises although 2 hours 45 minutes have passed since scheduled commencement. Poll officials say they need more time to repair the machines.

BJP candidate from Hooghly, Locket Chatterjee exchanged heated words with TMC supporters over alleged false voting in her constituency.

The Election Commission has sought a report on the alleged violence at Mohanpur booth (241) under Barrackpur Lok Sabha constituency, where Arjun Singh sustained minor injuries in a scuffle. 

Image: UNI