During the first phase of polling in West Bengal, “goons” associated with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s party remained off the streets, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Thursday, issuing a stern warning ahead of the second phase scheduled for April 29.
The first phase of polling was held in 152 assembly constituencies in West Bengal on Thursday, with voter turnout standing at around 92.35% by 11 pm. Chief Election Commissioner Ganesh Kumar said that this is the highest ever percentage in West Bengal since independence.
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Some clashes were reported in parts of Bengal, including clashes in parts of Murshidabad, Birbhum, Cooch Behar and Dakshin Dinajpur. Crude bombs were allegedly dropped, and candidates from both parties were attacked, even as security forces were deployed in large numbers.
Amit Shah’s warning
Amit Shah, in a post on X, warned CM Mamata Banerjee’s “goons” against coming out in the second phase of polls. “Main gundu ko bolta hoon, stage dosri mein bhi bhar mat anna, warna ulta latka kar siddha kar donga.” (I say to the fools, don’t come out in the second phase either, or I will hang you upside down and straighten you out), he wrote.
As voting in the first phase concluded, Shah also congratulated the state’s voters for casting “historic votes” and “breaking all participation records in the grand festival of democracy.”
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He also congratulated the Election Commission and the brave personnel of all Central Armed Police Forces, along with West Bengal Police.
Throughout the election campaign in West Bengal, Amit Shah targeted the TMC, highlighting “corruption” and “hooliganism” in the state. In another post earlier on Thursday, he shared a symbolic video of the sunset to indicate that the “time of corruption and riots” in the TMC had begun.
“The sun has set on TMC corruption and riots,” Shah, who shared a post on X with a video of the sunset, wrote.
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Violence in Bengal elections
While the polling process remained largely peaceful compared to previous elections in the state, sporadic incidents of violence were also reported.
In Khrisaul in Birbhum, there were allegations that votes cast for the TMC were registered in favor of the BJP, sparking protests and a temporary halt to polling. In Naoda, stones were allegedly hurled at the convoy of RJD leader Humayun Kabir, leading to clashes between rival supporters and a baton attack by central forces.
