EC calls for FIR against Babul Supriyo
Kolkata: The fourth phase of elections in eight Lok Sabha constituencies of Bengal concluded peacefully on Monday, with a few stray incidents reported from some parts.
The Election Commission has instructed the District Election Officer (DEO) of West Burdwan to lodge an FIR against BJP candidate Babul Supriyo, for threatening the presiding officer and a Trinamool Congress polling agent inside booth number 199 of Barabani.
Meanwhile, incidents of firing by Central Force jawans have been reported from Birbhum's Parui and Dubrajpur. The Election Commission has asked to register an FIR in this connection. Trinamool Congress has lodged a specific complaint with the Election Commission in this regard, whereas a separate complaint was lodged by the Central Force officials.
The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Ariz Aftab said that an altercation broke out in both the areas over the use of mobile phones by the voters, following which a Central Force jawan in each area fired a blank round. The ceiling of a polling booth at Dubrajpur was damaged as the Central Force jawan fired inside the booth.
Supriyo is contesting the election from Asansol on the saffron party's ticket and has been pitted against Trinamool Congress heavyweight Moon Moon Sen.
Supriyo lost his cool inside the polling booth and threatened the presiding officer and a TMC agent in a fit of rage. He had stormed into the booth with his bodyguard, without prior permission from the presiding officer. However, he clarified the issue by saying that he had stepped into the booth after hearing about an untoward incident.
The Election Commission has sought a report in connection with the incident. Supriyo subsequently had to face the wrath of some Trinamool Congress activists, who staged a demonstration in front of him at Barabani and Pandabeswar. An irate mob also ransacked his vehicle.
The overall polling percentage in the eight constituencies remained at 76.44 till 5 pm. Berhampore recorded 76.16 percent, with 76.55 in Krishnanagar, 78.33 in Ranaghat (SC), 76.92 in Burdwan East, 75.31 in Burdwan-Durgapur, 73.64 in Asansol, 77.95 in Bolpur (SC) and 76.69 in Birbhum.
Two presiding officers from Ketugram in East Burdwan and Mayureswar in Birbhum were removed by the Commission as some allegations of booth jamming surfaced in the two areas. The Commission has sought a report from the district administrations in this regard. A total 6 FIRs were registered by the Commission and five persons have been arrested for creating trouble on Monday.
Special Observer Ajay Nayak told media persons that the election was peaceful. He, however, assured that if there is any specific complaint, it will be looked into.
