Nandigram: Mamata Banerjee calls Governor as Trinamool alleges booth capture by BJP, party workers clash

There were massive clashes between Trinamool Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Nandigram constituency of East Midnapore today and elections were disrupted in several parts of the constituency.

At booth number 7 of Bayal area, Banerjee sat inside the booth and called Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar, as the situation grew tense outside. Trinamool Congress workers and some voters alleged that they were not allowed to vote by the BJP. As Banerjee went inside the booth, BJP workers assembled outside shouting “Jai Shree Ram” slogans. They also got into clashes with Trinamool workers as police tried to separate the two groups. Some took up pieces of bricks and stones and tried to hit at each other. Police had a tough time keeping the situation under control.

Banerjee alleged that there were repeated complaints made about the situation today – at least 63 complaints already by 2.30 PM, but nothing was done by the Central forces. “We have made 63 complaints already, but no action has been taken yet. They have been instructed by the Home Ministry. We will move court,” she said, sitting on a wheelchair inside the booth.

Trinamool Congress leaders also complained that even as Mamata Banerjee has Z plus security cover, there were no additional forces deployed in the area where she was moving, and the state police had a tough time to contain the crowd that kept shouting “Jai Shree Ram” slogans. Banerjee called the Governor while sitting inside the booth.

Meanwhile, Trinamool MP Derek O’Brien wrote to the Election Commission alleging “booth capture” by BJP workers in Nandigram. “Huge mob of BJP workers have entered booth no.s 6, 7, 49, 27, 162, 21, 26, 13, 262, 256, 163, 20. BJP workers attempting to take control of EVM & rigging the booth,” he wrote.

[Cover image from Mamata Banerjee’s campaign image last week]