The first phase of the Lok Sabha election commenced in West Bengal today, with polling underway in three significant constituencies: Coochbehar, Alipurduar, and Jalpaiguri. Voting began at 7 am and is scheduled to continue until 6 pm, as confirmed by polling officials.
However, reports emerged of disruptions in the electoral process, with allegations exchanged between the BJP and TMC regarding violence against their respective poll agents and workers. The BJP accused TMC workers of pelting stones in Cooch Behar’s Chandamari area, resulting in injuries to the party’s booth president. Conversely, the TMC alleged that BJP leader Nisith Pramanik was storing arms in his office, prompting them to write to the Election Commission.
Despite the disturbances, the overall voter turnout in the state reached 32% by 11 am, according to Election Commission officials. The voter turnout percentages in the key constituencies were recorded as follows: Coochbehar at 15.26%, Alipurduar at 15.91%, and Jalpaiguri at 14.13%.
In the Alipurduar constituency, Senior BJP leader Manoj Tigga contested against Trinamool Congress’s Prakash Chik Baraik, while the Left Front nominated Revolutionary Socialist Party leader Mili Oraon as its candidate.
In Coochbehar, Union Minister of State for Home Nisith Pramanik faced off against TMC’s Jagadish Chandra Barma Basunia. This constituency gained attention due to the 2021 assembly elections’ incident where four individuals were allegedly killed by central forces at Sitalkuchi, a matter emphasized by the TMC in the current election campaign.
Jalpaiguri, located in North Bengal, is designated as reserved for Scheduled Castes (SCs). In this constituency, incumbent MP Dr. Jayanta Kumar Roy from the BJP contested against TMC’s Nirmal Chandra Roy and CPI-M’s Debraj Barman.
The electoral process continues amidst heightened tensions, with voters exercising their democratic rights despite challenges. Further updates are awaited as the polling progresses.
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