Mamata Banerjee alleges outside observers, police targeting TMC workers

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee alleged that observers and police from outside the state are targeting TMC workers during the second phase of assembly polls. She also claimed CRPF personnel assaulted a party councillor's family members.

West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC candidate from Bhabanipur, Mamata Banerjee, on Wednesday, alleged that "observers from outside" and police officers unfamiliar with Bengal were being deployed in a manner that was targeting Trinamool Congress workers during the ongoing phase two of Assembly polling. She alleged that her party's youth block president was arrested in the morning, prompting her visit to Chetla, while also claiming that CRPF personnel had entered a TMC councillor's residence late at night without local police and assaulted family members.

Banerjee Details Allegations

Speaking to the reporters, CM Banerjee said, "My party and I, as Chairperson of AITC, want the voting to be peaceful so that people can exercise their franchise. However, some observers have been brought in from different places, along with police officers who do not understand Bengal. There was one officer yesterday who caused trouble across Bengal. I was awake all night. Observers are going to police stations to create pressure and target TMC, saying that all TMC agents should be arrested."

"My youth block president was arrested in the morning. That is why I went to Chetla. I did not go to the police station; my party worker went there. Last night, around 2 am, a team of CRPF "Gunda", sorry, not "Gunda". CRPF force went to my Ward 70 councillor's house without the local police and attacked his house. His wife was alone with their children. When he said he wasn't home, the CRPF assaulted them (kicked them), snatched their phone, and warned that he should not do any party work. I can show you the proof," she further alleged.

Phase Two Polling Underway

Meanwhile, West Bengal recorded a voter turnout of 18.39 per cent until 9 am today, as polling for the remaining 142 seats across the state commenced earlier in the day.

The scale of the final phase is massive, covering nearly half of the state's total assembly seats, 142 (out of 294). The total electorate is around 3.21 crore (Male: 1,64,35,627 and Female: 1,57,37,418 and Third Gender: 792). 1,448 candidates are in the fray, including 220 women at 41,001 polling stations, with over 8,000 managed entirely by women.

The second phase of polling is crucial in shaping the electoral trajectory in the state, with 142 constituencies in Bengal going to vote. Authorities have put in place elaborate arrangements to ensure smooth and peaceful polling across regions.

After a record-shattering voter turnout in the first phase, West Bengal enters its second and final phase of polling today. This round is widely seen as the "litmus test" for the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), as voting moves into the party's traditional fortresses in South Bengal and Kolkata. The result for the high-stake battle will be announced on May 4, along with other states like Tamil Nadu, Keralam, Assam and Puducherry. (ANI)

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