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New Delhi: As West Bengal went to vote, a clash erupted between Trinamool workers and Humayun Kabir, a former Trinamool leader, in Murshidabad. Voters alleged intimidation as the polling got underway in the key constituency.

Kabir is the founder of Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AUJP). The confrontation broke out as he was visiting the area where a crude bomb incident was reported ahead of the voting on Wednesday. He reportedly said that Trinamool workers were trying to stop him.

#WATCH | West Bengal Elections 2026 | A scuffle breaks out between TMC workers and Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AUJP) founder Humayun Kabir in Murshidabad.

Humayun Kabir is visiting the area where a crude bomb hurling incident was reported yesterday. pic.twitter.com/RTrRzg2eMr

— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2026

EC seeks report

In response to the incidents and claims, the Election Commission has called for a report from officials over allegations that a number of people were prevented from casting their ballots in Murshidabad district’s Domkal.

One of the victims of the reported crude bomb incident in Murshidabad on Wednesday was quoted by ANI as saying: “I had stepped out yesterday to offer Namaz around 8 pm… I was standing… two boys came and threw a bomb near my foot. Humayun Kabir’s party workers have done this.”

In Raipur village, under the Domkal Assembly constituency, a number of locals alleged that they were gripped in fear as armed individuals had been present in the area since early morning.

Bengal votes

The opening round of the two-phase West Bengal election will cover 152 of the state’s 294 seats, including all 54 in north Bengal’s eight districts and several in Murshidabad, Nadia, Birbhum and Hooghly. The second phase of polls would take place on April 29. The vote counting will take place on May 4.