Hyderabad, April 29: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday visited polling booths in Bhabanipur as voting for the second phase of Assembly elections began. She alleged that election observers and Central forces were acting in favour of the BJP.
Banerjee started visiting booths from 7 am and later reached a polling station in Chetla around 8.30 am. There, she met state minister and TMC candidate Firhad Hakim.
She told reporters that several observers from outside were working under BJP directions. She also questioned whether free voting could take place under such conditions.
Bhabanipur Polling Sees Political Tension
Banerjee alleged that TMC flags and posters had been removed. She also claimed that outsiders were intimidating voters.
Further, she accused the Election Commission of India of harassment. She said Central forces conducted late night raids and targeted party workers.
According to Banerjee, police observers were acting politically instead of neutrally. She said voters, not security forces, would decide the result.
Later, tension rose in Bhabanipur when both Mamata Banerjee and BJP candidate Suvendu Adhikari reached Ward Number 70 in Chakraberia.
Banerjee claimed local councillor Ashim Basu was not being allowed to move freely. She also alleged that Central forces entered his house around 2 am and detained party workers without warrants.
She said party agents were being stopped from carrying out polling duties. However, she added that such pressure tactics would not work in Bengal.
Meanwhile, Suvendu Adhikari also visited several polling booths after offering prayers at a local temple.
He urged people to vote for change and predicted high turnout in Bhabanipur. He said BJP polling agents were able to sit in all booths this time.
Heavy deployment of Central forces continued in the area as both leaders remained active during polling hours.
The Bhabanipur contest remains one of the most closely watched battles in the West Bengal Assembly elections.
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