Civic poll marred by violence, over 70 per cent cast votes

Sporadic violence and assaults on journalists today marred elections to two municipal corporations in West Bengal as over 70 per cent people cast their votes.
"The voter turnout till 5 pm in Bidhanngar and Asansol was 71 per cent. We have received complaints of violence, rigging and malpractices from both places. We are looking into those complaints and will decide the course of action," State Election Commissioner S R Upadhaya told PTI.
The election to Bally under Howrah Municipal Corporation and Siliguri Mahakuma Parishad passed off peacefully, he said.
Rubbishing opposition allegations that ruling Trinamool Congress had used outsiders to unleash violence in Bidhannagar and Asansol, senior party leader and state Education Minister Partha Chatterjee said "The opposition parties have tried to create violence during the elections. As the ruling party why should we create violence? We want to categorically state that in Bengal rule of the law has been established under Mamata Banerjee.

"As ruling party we will never want any breach of peace," Chatterjee, also TMC secretary general, said and accused CPI(M) of trying to create disturbance during the polls.
He said it is the duty of the State Election Commission to see that the elections are conducted peacefully.

Several journalists of various media houses were assaulted while covering the elections in the Bidhannagar.
Asked about it, Chatterjee condemned it and said "We feel that whoever has done this is wrong. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee inquired into the incident. Those responsible for the attacks would be identified and the administration will deal with them."

Chatterjee while replying to a querry on "outsiders" being brought by TMC to unleash violence, said "It is the job of the SEC to see who is an outsider and who is not. It is SEC who conducts the election,"
S R Upadhaya when asked said, "The SEC has to work with the state machinery and the resources available from the state government."
Left Front chairman Biman Bose described the civic polls in Bidhannagaar and Asansol as "mere farce" and alleging massive rigging there demanded re-polling at some wards.