Kolkata: A violent clash broke out between BJP and Trinamool Congress workers in Bidhannagar in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district today, even as polling was underway for 45 seats in the fifth phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections.
Quoting officials, reports said that the incident took place in Shanti Nagar area of Bidhannagar. Both TMC and BJP supporters were seen pelting stones at each other following an altercation.
Ahead of the polls today, West Bengal reported 6,910 fresh coronavirus cases and 26 deaths in the last 24 hours.
The polling began at 7 am on Saturday for 45 assembly seats amid tight security. More than one crore voters are eligible to exercise their franchise to decide the political fate of 342 candidates.
Long queues were seen outside polling booths where voting is underway adhering to coronavirus guidelines.
On Friday evening, the Election Commission ordered a 72-hour ‘silence period’, instead of the usual 48 hours, ahead of the remaining rounds of voting. The poll body cited the Covid pandemic and also said election rallies and meetings – on days when campaigning is allowed – would be banned between 7 pm and 10 am.