LS polls see over 62% turnout in 4th phase, sporadic violence in Andhra, Bengal

There was sporadic violence in Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal as 96 constituencies across 10 states and Union territories went to the polls in the fourth phase of the Lok Sabha elections on Monday. 

A turnout of over 62 percent was reportedly recorded until 5 pm, with the highest in West Bengal with 75.6 percent, followed by Andhra Pradesh at 68.04 percent and Madhya Pradesh at 68.01 percent. The lowest turnout was recorded in Jammu and Kashmir with 35.75 percent, as per figures until 5 pm. The final figures were not available at the time of publishing this report.

In Telangana, BJP’s Hyderabad MP Madhavi Latha was booked after a video that purportedly showed her asking burqa-clad women to remove their face veil to “verify their identity”.

In Andhra Pradesh, three polling agents of the Telugu Desam Party were rescued hours after their abduction in Chittoor district. And clashes were reported in several areas during polling in Palnadu and Chittoor. The state also held assembly elections on the same day.

In West Bengal, TMC and BJP workers clashed in various parts of Birbhum and Bardhaman-Durgapur seats. BJP said the convoy of party leader Dilip Ghosh was allegedly targeted by TMC workers in Bardhaman-Durgapur while the TMC denied the charge. The TMC, BJP, and Congress-CPI (M) alliance lodged complaints linked to election violence and voter intimidation.

A total of 1,717 candidates are in the fray in this phase. More than 19 lakh polling officials have been deployed at 1.92 lakh polling stations for the over 17.70 crore eligible voters in this phase. 

It was the first major election in Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370, with votes cast in Srinagar Lok Sabha segment. 

Among prominent candidates in the fray in the fourth phase are Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Union minister Giriraj Singh, TMC leader Mohua Moitra, AIMIM’s Asaduddin Owaisi, Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury,  TMC leader and former cricketer Yusuf Pathan, and Andhra Pradesh Congress president YS Sharmila. 

3 abducted in Andhra 

According to reports, TDP agents assigned to polling booths 188, 189, and 199 in Bokaramanda village were kidnapped. After TDP district in-charge Jagan Mohan Raju alleged that people linked to the YSRCP were behind the abduction, the officials in-charge of election in Chittoor, with help from the police, rescued the agents from Pileru. The Andhra Pradesh CEO said a probe is underway to identify the culprits.

Meanwhile, the Rentachintala mandal of Macherla constituency in Palnadu district was tense following a clash between TDP and YSRCP workers that left two seriously injured. Several villages in Palnadu district reportedly witnessed clashes between TDP and YSRCP supporters, including Pakalapadu, Dhulipalla, Dhacepalli, Acchampeta, and Gurajala, where agents from both parties clashed using stones and sticks even before polling commenced.

The Election Commission reportedly took notice of the incidents and directed the police to control the situation.

West Bengal violence

Clashes broke out between supporters of TMC and BJP in Monteswar's Susunia area of Bardhaman-Durgapur Lok Sabha seat as BJP candidate Dilip Ghosh was on his way to a polling booth following complaints of booth jamming.

TMC supporters allegedly blocked his convoy and threw stones at vehicles part of it, leaving several cars damaged.

“Police are just mute spectators. The TMC has let loose a reign of terror. Since morning, TMC goons have beaten up our polling agents and are not allowing polling to be free and fair,” Ghosh told the media.

The TMC, however, denied the charges.

In Durgapur area of the same constituency, clashes broke out between the TMC and the BJP, after which members of the saffron party sat in protest.

In Birbhum Lok Sabha constituency, BJP workers clashed with TMC activists in Nanoor after saffron party polling agents were allegedly stopped from entering booths.

There was tension in Chapra area of Krishnanagar constituency as BJP workers were allegedly targeted by TMC workers. Amrita Roy, BJP candidate of Krishnanagar, accompanied two injured persons to Chapra police station. The TMC has denied the allegations.