Targeted by TMC workers, BJP candidate runs for cover

Tribune News Service

Kolkata, May 12

Security personnel accompanying BJP candidate Bharati Ghosh – the friend-turned-foe of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee – had to resort to firing to chase away Trinamool Congress (TMC) supporters hurling stones at her. Incidents of electoral violence were reported from other areas of the state as well.

Ghosh, whose constituency Ghatal went to poll today along with seven other constituencies in the sixth phase of polling in the state, had a scuffle with a group of women TMC supporters when she tried to escort her agent to a polling booth.

The 57-year-old former police officer, who was handpicked by the Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for posting as SP in the Maoist affected Jhargram district, fell down on the floor after being pushed by the women TMC supporters.

Ghosh had earlier entered the booth with her mobile phone and an armed guard and took a video. The Election Commission has asked the District Magistrate of Midnapore to file an FIR against her.

Things took a more serious turn at Keshpur bazar area which turned into a battlefield when hundreds of Trinamool supporters started throwing stones at Bharati Ghosh’s cavalcade.

Ghosh, who is taking on actor Deepak (Dev) Adhikari of the Trinamool Congress, took shelter in a temple. When the mob started throwing stones at the temple, she jumped a boundary wall and entered the local police station.

One of Ghosh’s PSOs received head injury from the stone pelting. Security personnel accompanying the BJP candidate fired at the miscreants in which one TMC supporter suffered injury in his forearm.

Ghosh, who was considered “thick” with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at one point of time, could finally leave Keshpur under heavy police protection but her cavalcade was stopped by police again on the outskirts of Medinipur town for not having the requisite permission from the Election Commission for the car she was using.

Ghosh told reporters that the cavalcade was stopped to prevent her from going to Pingla from where she received complaints about rigging.

TMC supporters are reportedly furious with Ghosh as she earlier had warned them of dragging them from their homes and kill like dogs if they tried to prevent BJP voters from casting their votes.