80 % turnout; high-handedness of BJP candidates under EC glare

Kolkata: The sixth phase of the Lok Sabha elections in Bengal witnessed high-handedness of BJP candidates, particularly from Bharati Ghosh and Dilip Ghosh. While the former IPS officer, who is the BJP candidate from Ghatal, was found barging into booths illegally with her body guards, Dilip Ghosh, who is contesting from the Midnapore seat, was found using instigating language just beside a polling booth at Rampuria Primary School at Egra.

The Commission had to restrict the movement of Bharati Ghosh and seized the vehicle in which she was moving, after it was found that she did not have the necessary permission to use the car.

Ghosh, who faced agitation from Trinamool Congress supporters and some common people at several booths, lost her cool and one of her security guards resorted to firing at a booth near Dogachia in Ghatal, in which one Bakhtiar Khan sustained bullet injuries.

The Election Commission has initiated FIRs against Ghosh and her associates for videographing and firing in booth, while an FIR was also lodged against Dilip Ghosh, who is also the state president of the saffron party, for a clash with TMC supporters in front of a booth where he allegedly used instigating language.

Voting in the sixth phase that covered four districts of Jangalmahal, namely Purulia, Bankura, West Midnapore and Jhargram, was peaceful apart from some sporadic incidents of trouble. The average voting percentage was 79.93 percent till 5 pm, which was a clear indication that people braved the sultry weather conditions and exercised their franchise.

The Central Forces opened fire at five places and 26 people were injured in clashes related to elections.

The police arrested 16 persons across the parliamentary constituencies that went to vote in specific cases, for incidents of violence that could have marred the peaceful voting process.