As poll battle intensifies, BJP workers allege another attack by TMC in South 24 Parganas

In yet another incidence of violence in the poll-bound state of West Bengal, 6 BJP workers were injured in a crude bomb blast in Rampur village of South 24 Parganas district on Friday night. According to sources, the BJP workers, who were injured in the attack are undergoing treatment in the hospital. These workers have alleged that the bomb was hurled at them by the TMC workers when they were returning from a wedding. 

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Political violence in Bengal

As the Bengal polls draw closer, increasing instances of political violence have been reported time and again. Earlier on February 25, a few BJP workers were attacked by TMC goons in Jagatdal area. On February 19, a BJP worker named Bikash Debnath was allegedly beaten up by TMC goons in Alipurduar in the poll-bound state when he was returning home, leaving him critically injured. As per the victim, 10 to 15 TMC workers attacked him and a complaint has been lodged with the police. BJP has alleged that it has lost nearly 130 of its workers over the last 2 years. 

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West Bengal polls

Mamata Banerjee-led TMC had swept the 2016 Assembly polls by bagging 211 seats in the 294-member Assembly. On the other hand, the BJP won 18 out of 42 parliamentary seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. The saffron party has kickstarted a fierce campaign as it aims to unseat the TMC government. Both Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP president JP Nadda exuded confidence in the party winning more than 200 seats in the Assembly polls. The Congress-Left-ISF alliance is also in the poll fray while AIMIM too has announced its intention to make its political debut in the state. 

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Announcing the dates of the Assembly polls on February 26, Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora mentioned that 18.68 crore persons will decide the fate of 824 seats in the aforesaid 4 States and one Union Territory at 2.7 lakh polling stations. In West Bengal, 294 seats are up for grabs and people will be able to cast their votes at 1,01,916 polling stations. As per the phases, the polling in the state will be conducted on March 27, April 1, April 6, April 10, April 17, April 22, April 26 and April 29. The counting of votes shall take place on May 2. 

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