Agnimitra Paul is contesting the Lok Sabha polls as BJP’s candidate in Medinipur
New Delhi:
Amid studies of violence from West Bengal on the first day of polling for Lok Sabha election, BJP chief Agnimitra Paul has mentioned “Bengal has turned into Bihar” and alleged that the Trinamool Congress is attempting to silence opponents by “threatening or murdering”.
Three seats in north Bengal are voting within the first part — Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar and Cooch Behar. Sporadic incidents of violence have been reported in Cooch Behar, the place employees of the BJP and Trinamool clashed. Both sides have filed scores of complaints regarding violence and voter intimidation. A senior polling officer, nonetheless, mentioned they’ve acquired some complaints, however they acquired no studies of violence, reported information company PTI.
VIDEO | Here’s what BJP chief Agnimitra Paul (@paulagnimitra1) mentioned on sporadic violence in West Bengal throughout first part voting for Lok Sabha Elections 2024.
“A few years back we used to see such things in Bihar, but Bengal has turned into new Bihar, new Kashmir. Booth… pic.twitter.com/vz0yu6qN3i
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 19, 2024
At 3 pm, eight hours after voting began, the seats had recorded 66.3 turnout. All three Bengal seats polling today are reserved — Cooch Behar and Jalpaiguri for Scheduled Castes and Alipurduar for Scheduled Tribes. Among the high-profile candidates is Union Minister Nisith Pramanik, contesting for BJP in Cooch Behar.
In a video statement shared by PTI, Ms Paul said, “Just a few years again we used to see such issues in Bihar, however Bengal has was new Bihar, new Kashmir. Booth president is being kidnapped. Booth rigging is being carried out. Opponents should be silenced…both by threatening or murdering… that is Mamata Banerjee’s politics in West Bengal.”
Ms Paul, MLA from Asansol South, is contesting the Lok Sabha polls as BJP’s candidate in Medinipur.
Ms Paul’s remark is a part of the political blame game that has started in the wake of the violence.
“The BJP, together with central forces, has unleashed a reign of terror to rig the elections. Our employees are being harassed and overwhelmed,” north Bengal Development minister and Trinamool leader Udayan Guha told PTI.
The BJP denied the allegations and claimed that they were targeted in many areas. “The TMC, sensing defeat, is attempting to intimidate voters. BJP employees have been assaulted in varied areas. Wherever Udayan Guha goes, he provokes folks to bask in violence. In many locations, even mediapersons have been assaulted,” Mr Pramanik told the media.
In a social media post, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has urged voters to vote to “stop infiltration and corruption”.
“Voting for the primary part of the Lok Sabha elections is ongoing in West Bengal in the present day. I attraction to the folks to vote for a authorities that can guarantee poverty alleviation schemes on the grassroots stage, stop infiltration and corruption, and supply justice and safety for girls,” he posted on X.
In response, Trinamool leader Kunal Ghosh said it is the job of the Home Minister’s office and the BSF to stop infiltration.
“People of Bengal are voting for @AITCofficial as a result of 1) Projects of @MamataOfficial are the most effective in poverty alleviation. The Center shouldn’t be paying the dues. 2) It is the job of Amit Shah’s workplace and BSF to stop infiltration. 3) When it involves corruption, BJP is the most effective. 4) TMC respects girls, in contrast to BJP-ruled states the place incidents similar to Unnao, Hathras, and Prayagraj have occurred,” he posted.
