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Lok Sabha election 2019: BJP, TMC trade charges after 41 injured in Bengal post-poll violence
Eight constituencies in the western part of the state voted on Sunday in a phase where the BJP says it has the best chance to wrest seats from the ruling party, which holds all of them in area.
More than 40 people were injured in violence in West Bengal’s West Midnapore district after the sixth phase of Lok Sabha election on Sunday, police said on Monday, as the ruling Trinamool Congress and BJP blamed each other for the attacks.
The Trinamool and Bharatiya Janata Party are locked in a bitter fight in West Bengal this time, with the BJP setting a minimum target of 22-23 seats, and TMC chief and chief minister Mamata Banerjee vowing to win all 42 in the state.
Eight constituencies in the western part of the state voted on Sunday in a phase where the BJP says it has the best chance to wrest seats from the ruling party, which holds all of them in area.
Violence in the state started on Saturday when one worker each of the BJP and Trinamool were killed and two shot at in separate incidents in different areas.
Sporadic violence has been reported since the beginning of this general election in West Bengal where the BJP and the TMC have accused each other of political murders and attacks.
Four people were injured in Dantan, six in Salboni and 21 in Garbeta in West Midnapore. One person was injured in Chandrakona Road area and six in other areas of the district.
TMC leaders in Sabang under Ghatal parliamentary constituency claimed that one of their party offices and the houses of some supporters were ransacked.
“On Saturday, BJP-backed goons ransacked the TMC office in Bishnupur. They also ransacked at least 14 houses of our supporters,” Amulya Maity, TMC leader of the district, alleged.
Police said one person was arrested in connection with this incident. However, the BJP’s Antara Bhattacharya said her party’s supporter, who was nabbed, was charged falsely.
“What happened on Saturday is an outcome of a factional fight within the TMC. Yet, the police arrested our man, on false allegations,” she claimed.
Six people were injured in Mushina village in Salboni under Jhargram parliamentary constituency.
“The BJP’s supporters attacked our men suddenly with sharp weapons and injured five. Two of them were critically injured and admitted to Midnapore Medical College and Hospital,” said Sandip Singha, a local TMC leader.
But BJP leader Arup Das rubbished the allegation.
BJP leaders claimed 20 of their men were injured at Barodiha village under Garbeta when TMC supporters attacked them. The ruling party’s workers alleged one of their men were injured.
In clashes in Chandrakona Road area, the BJP claimed an election agent of their party was injured in the attack by TMC. In a counter-allegation, TMC leaders said their local leader Prasenjit Bhunia was attacked in the night when he was returning home.
“Six of our men were injured in Chandrakona and Garbeta area when BJP men attacked them,” alleged Ajit Maity, president of TMC West Midnapore district.
BJP leaders said the attack by TMC supporters was an indication of their frustration triggered by the people voting for the BJP.
A woman BJP supporter was allegedly beaten up by TMC men in Kusmi village in Dantan area as three of her family members were also injured.
“On Monday morning, TMC supporters entered my house and beat me up. When my family members protested, they were thrashed too,“ Snehalata Patra, the victim who is admitted in Dantan hospital, alleged.
Ganesh Kar, TMC leader of the area, claimed it was a family dispute.
TMC’s Lalgarh block president Shyamal Mahato was attacked allegedly by BJP supporters when he was riding his motorbike. His two associates Anjan Mahato and Sasthi Dhibar were also injured. Dhibar, who was hit in the head with an axe was taken to Jhargram Medical College and Hospital in a critical condition.
