Bengal assembly polls: CPI(M)-Congress alliance and TMC trade charges

The opposition alliance alleged that the ruling TMC was unleashing violence for fear of losing the polls

The opposition alliance of CPI(M) and Congress today alleged that the ruling Trinammol Congress was unleashing violence for fear of losing the polls. Their accusation drew sharp rebuff from TMC, which called the untoward incidents as "fallout of infighting" between the alliance partners.

CPI(M) state committee secretary Surya Kanta Mishra said "From a 3.5-year-old child to the Left candidate, from old people to women! Unnerved TMC goons targeting all! People will give a rebuff by ousting TMC."

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"A 3.5 year old child is even not spared by TMC goons as his father is a Left polling agent! Fear and frustration of loosing ground at its zenith," Mishra said.

In Dum Dum North constituency, CPI(M) candidate Tanmay Bhattacharya sustained injuries on his hand after stones were hurled at his car. Three persons were arrested, Barrackpore Police Commissioner Niraj Singh said.

"I was on my way to visit a polling agent, who was attacked by TMC. As soon as I entered the area, I was attacked by TMC goons. Stones were pelted towards my car. I'll inform the EC. This the kind of democracy that TMC is trying to establish," Bhattacharya said.

State Congress President Ashir Chowdhury said "the more TMC unleashes the terror, the more strong will be the resistance of the masses. The alliance of Left and Congress is surging ahead and that is why TMC is nervous. These incidents of violence are sign of nervousness".

The Trinamool Congress leadership, however, denied the allegations and said those were the "results of infighting" between Congress and CPI(M).

"They are trying to malign TMC. The TMC will win with a comfortable majority. These incidents of violence are result of infighting between Congress and CPI(M)," TMC Vice President Mukul Roy said.