Bhabanipur constituency in Kolkata was on spotlight ever since BJP's Suvendu Adhikary announced he would contest from that seat in West Bengal elecions against TMC supremo and state's chief minister Mamata Banerjee. While the constituency went to poll today in Phase 2 of Bengal elections, Bhabanipur saw dramatic actions and Suvendu Adhikary was caught in the middle of high-tension drama.
Tension flared in Kolkata’s Kalighat area in Bhabanipur constituency on Wednesday when Suvendu Adhikari visited a polling booth and was met with slogans of 'Joy Bangla' allegedly by TMC workers, prompting police to step in and the opposition leader to approach the Election Commission seeking deployment of additional central forces.
Also Read | Bhabanipur: Why Mamata Banerjee's citadel remains a tough nut to crack for BJP's Suvendu Adhikari
Security personnel resorted to a lathi-charge to disperse the crowd. Adhikari ran after the sloganeering groups, alleging they were “outsiders trying to influence the polls”.
Women voters standing in queue to vote told local Bengali news channels that Suvenu provocation led to lathi charge and some women were hit.
While Suvendu walked through the area there were loud slogans of 'Joy Bangla'. The BJP candidate countered with Joy Sriram slogan.
The confrontation unfolded near Joy Hind Bhavan in Kalighat when Adhikari, who had been touring polling booths across the Bhabanipur assembly constituency since morning, arrived to check polling arrangements.
Also Read: Bengal goes to polls as debate over identity and development takes center stage
As he reached the spot, TMC workers and supporters raised slogans of ‘Joy Bangla’ and ‘chor, chor’ against him, while BJP activists responded with chants of ‘Jai Shri Ram’, heightening tension in the politically sensitive neighbourhood.
Police personnel at the scene struggled to control supporters from both parties as the slogan exchange intensified and crowds from both camps gathered around the booth.
Speaking to reporters, Adhikari contacted Election Commission officials and complained about the situation, alleging that he had been attacked and that BJP workers were being obstructed.
"There has been an attack on me. More central forces should be sent immediately so that voters can cast their votes freely," he was heard telling poll officials.
He also called for the deployment of additional CRPF personnel in the area, alleging attempts to intimidate opposition workers and voters.
The BJP accused TMC supporters of deliberately creating disturbances to disrupt free and fair polling in Bhabanipur, one of the most high-profile constituencies in the second and final phase of the West Bengal assembly elections.
The TMC, however, said local residents were expressing spontaneous anger against Adhikari and rejected the BJP’s claims.
Adhikari has been visiting several booth areas across Bhabanipur, including Chakraberia, Chetla and Mitra Institution, since morning as polling continued in the constituency where Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is also contesting.
Polling is underway in 142 constituencies across south Bengal in the second and final phase of the assembly elections, with Bhabanipur emerging as one of the most closely watched battlegrounds due to the direct contest between Banerjee and Adhikari.
Voting will continue till 6 pm, while counting of votes is scheduled for May 4.
Tension flared in Kolkata’s Kalighat area in Bhabanipur constituency on Wednesday when Suvendu Adhikari visited a polling booth and was met with slogans of 'Joy Bangla' allegedly by TMC workers, prompting police to step in and the opposition leader to approach the Election Commission seeking deployment of additional central forces.
Also Read | Bhabanipur: Why Mamata Banerjee's citadel remains a tough nut to crack for BJP's Suvendu Adhikari
Security personnel resorted to a lathi-charge to disperse the crowd. Adhikari ran after the sloganeering groups, alleging they were “outsiders trying to influence the polls”.
Women voters standing in queue to vote told local Bengali news channels that Suvenu provocation led to lathi charge and some women were hit.
While Suvendu walked through the area there were loud slogans of 'Joy Bangla'. The BJP candidate countered with Joy Sriram slogan.
The confrontation unfolded near Joy Hind Bhavan in Kalighat when Adhikari, who had been touring polling booths across the Bhabanipur assembly constituency since morning, arrived to check polling arrangements.
Also Read: Bengal goes to polls as debate over identity and development takes center stage
As he reached the spot, TMC workers and supporters raised slogans of ‘Joy Bangla’ and ‘chor, chor’ against him, while BJP activists responded with chants of ‘Jai Shri Ram’, heightening tension in the politically sensitive neighbourhood.
Police personnel at the scene struggled to control supporters from both parties as the slogan exchange intensified and crowds from both camps gathered around the booth.
Speaking to reporters, Adhikari contacted Election Commission officials and complained about the situation, alleging that he had been attacked and that BJP workers were being obstructed.
"There has been an attack on me. More central forces should be sent immediately so that voters can cast their votes freely," he was heard telling poll officials.
He also called for the deployment of additional CRPF personnel in the area, alleging attempts to intimidate opposition workers and voters.
The BJP accused TMC supporters of deliberately creating disturbances to disrupt free and fair polling in Bhabanipur, one of the most high-profile constituencies in the second and final phase of the West Bengal assembly elections.
The TMC, however, said local residents were expressing spontaneous anger against Adhikari and rejected the BJP’s claims.
Adhikari has been visiting several booth areas across Bhabanipur, including Chakraberia, Chetla and Mitra Institution, since morning as polling continued in the constituency where Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is also contesting.
Polling is underway in 142 constituencies across south Bengal in the second and final phase of the assembly elections, with Bhabanipur emerging as one of the most closely watched battlegrounds due to the direct contest between Banerjee and Adhikari.
Voting will continue till 6 pm, while counting of votes is scheduled for May 4.
