Chaos increased during voting in Falta assembly constituency of West Bengal. Mother and son accused TMC workers of threatening to murder. Observer Ajay Pal Sharma appeals for security, reports of violence and lathicharge at many places.
Amidst the second phase of voting in the West Bengal Assembly elections, reports of violence, threats and clashes have once again heated up the election atmosphere. An incident that came to light from Falta assembly constituency of South 24 Parganas has raised serious questions on electoral fairness. After casting their vote here, a mother and son alleged that they were being threatened with murder and were being prevented from even entering their house. Amidst the increasing tension in the election environment, this matter has now become a topic of discussion at both political and administrative levels.
Received death threats after voting
In this case related to polling station number 204 of Falta Assembly, Dilip Mandal and his mother alleged that they were receiving continuous threats after voting. He says that some people associated with Trinamool Congress (TMC) are warning him not to enter the house. According to the victims, they were clearly told that they would be killed if they tried to enter the house. After this serious allegation, the mother and son went straight to election observer IPS officer Ajay Pal Sharma and requested for protection. Ajay Pal Sharma has assured him of security. Let us tell you that Ajay Pal Sharma has been in the news earlier also regarding election tension in Falta.
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Violence at many places during the second phase of voting
There have been reports of violence, bombings and clashes from many districts during the second phase of voting in West Bengal. The Election Commission has deployed additional security forces in sensitive areas, but despite this the situation does not seem completely calm. There is also news of attack on BJP candidate Vikas Sardar in South 24 Parganas. It is alleged that his car was vandalized and he was assaulted. Vikas Sardar said that those who attacked him raised slogans of “Jai Bangla” and used abusive language. He raised the question that when even one candidate is not safe, then how will the common voter feel safe.
Lathi charge at booth 186 of Falta
Tension was also seen near booth number 186 in Belsingha area of Falta. According to the information, a large number of people had gathered within a radius of 100 meters of the polling station, due to which the security arrangements started getting affected. Central security forces resorted to lathi charge to control the situation. After this incident the tension in the area increased further. This area is considered to be the area of influence of TMC leader Jahangir Khan, due to which the political sensitivity has further increased.
EVM broken in Howrah, then lathi charge
Tension spread during voting in Bali assembly constituency of Howrah also. The EVM machine at the polling station located at Don Bosco Liluah Sahanlal Vidyalaya malfunctioned, disrupting the voting process. Voters who were angry due to long wait and machine problems became agitated. When the situation worsened, the security forces had to resort to lathicharge. During this period two people were also arrested.
61.11 percent voting till 1 pm
Even amidst violence and tension, the voting percentage remains high in West Bengal. Till 1 pm, 61.11 percent voting was recorded. In the second phase, voting is being held on a total of 142 seats and 1448 candidates are in the fray. Earlier on April 23, in the first phase, more than 92 percent voting took place on 152 seats.
Questions are being raised on electoral fairness
The incidents unfolding from Falta to Howrah indicate that maintaining law and order during the election process still remains a big challenge. Threats to voters, attacks on candidates and tension at polling stations are a serious test of the democratic process. Now all eyes are on the next action of the Election Commission and the administration, because fair voting is the biggest identity of democracy.
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