West Bengal polls: Mamata Banerjee remains stuck inside booth as BJP, TMC cadres clash in Nandigram

Both sides intermittently pelted stones and charged at each other

Sporadic violence along with high voter turnout marked the second phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections on Thursday. 80.43 per cent votes were cast in the 30 constituencies in four districts by 5 pm.

The situation became tense in the high-stakes Nandigram seat in East Medinipur district where Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was stuck inside a polling booth for nearly two hours as workers from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the BJP clashed outside.

The incident took place in booth number seven at Boyal area of Nandigram where Mamata arrived upon receiving several complaints from TMC workers alleging that BJP cadres were resorting to false voting. The BJP workers shouted slogans of ‘Jai Shree Ram’ when the Chief Minister arrived. Tension brewed in the area as more and more BJP and TMC cadres gathered at the spot.

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Both sides intermittently pelted stones as State Police and Central forces who struggled to bring the situation under control.

Even when she was inside the booth, the Chief Minister called Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar and apprised him of the situation in Nandigram.

“Issues flagged @MamataOfficial a while ago on phone have been imparted to the concerned. There is full assurance of the concerned to adherence to rule of law. Am confident all will act in right spirit and earnestness so that democracy flourishes,” tweeted Dhankhar.

Finally after nearly two hours, the Chief Minister could leave the polling booth as scores of State Police and Central forces personnel formed a security cordon around her to avoid any untoward incident.

Later, she lashed out at the Election Commission (EC) accusing it of inaction despite several complaints from the TMC.

“We have lodged 63 complaints with the Election Commission since today morning. But they have taken no action whatsoever. This is outrageous. The Election Commission is working under the instructions of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. We will approach the court over it,” said Mamata.

She further alleged that despite several complaints the EC maintained “ total silence” and worked in favour of BJP candidates. Mamata also said that she was confident of her victory in Nandigram. She further alleged that Central forces under the instructions of Shah was helping BJP candidates.

Dubbing the allegations as “baseless”, State BJP president Dilip Ghosh said that “she was making such claims as she has already accepted defeat.”

Meanwhile, TMC sources said that Mamata will not contest from any other seat and will "comfortably win" from Nandigram.

Earlier in the day, vehicle of Suvendu Adhikari was allegedly attacked with stones twice by TMC workers in Nandigram while he was visiting polling booths. Central forces dispersed the crowd.

“I am used to such antics of the TMC. They are followers of Mamata Banerjee. Let them do whatever they want to,” said Adhikari.

On the other hand, mother of a TMC polling agent, who was allegedly threatened by the BJP, refused to send her son to the polling booth fearing for his life despite assurances from the State Police and Central forces.

Also, TMC workers allegedly vandalised the vehicle of BJP candidate from Keshpur Assembly seat, Pritish Ranjan Kuar and also attacked him.

Late on Wednesday night, a TMC worker identified as Uttam Dalui was allegedly stabbed to death by BJP cadres in Keshpur. Eight persons have been arrested in the case so far. A BJP worker died by suicide after being allegedly threatened by TMC cadres in Nandigram.