Several BJP candidates, including Ratna Debnath, participated in the ongoing phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections by casting their votes. Expressing worries about Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and incidents of poll violence, the candidates highlighted the need for a fair electoral process. Debnath, a BJP candidate, mentioned concerns about delays in the EVM machine sound, suggesting possible disturbances.
Meanwhile, the mother of the late R.G. Kar rape and murder victim, known as Abhaya, has entered politics on a BJP ticket to seek justice for her daughter. Emphasizing the importance of accountability, she shared her motivation for contesting in the elections. Soma Thakur, another BJP candidate for Bagda Assembly, urged citizens to actively participate in the voting process.
Roopa Ganguly, a BJP leader and former Rajya Sabha MP contesting from Sonarpur Dakshin, cast her vote and encouraged voters to carry their Election Commission voter slips. Saikat Sarkar, a BJP candidate from the Chapra Assembly constituency, reported an alleged incident of violence involving a party member being attacked on the way to a polling station.
Swapan Dasgupta, contesting from the Rashbehari constituency, expressed optimism regarding the election conduct, citing the record turnout and minimal violence in the first phase. He hoped for a peaceful electoral process in West Bengal. The second phase of the Assembly polls in West Bengal, covering 142 constituencies across six districts, commenced with mild tensions reported in certain areas.
In South Kolkata’s Bhabanipur Assembly constituency, where Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the Leader of Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari, are contesting, incidents of cautioning individuals for assembling near polling stations were reported. Allegations of hindering Congress booth agents in entering a polling booth led to mild tension in the Rashbehari constituency. Congress accused ruling Trinamool Congress activists of ‘hooliganism’ during the elections.
