Bengal polls: BJP's Basanti candidate claims attack by TMC 'goons'

BJP candidate from Basanti assembly constituency in South 24 Parganas, Bikash Sardar, on Wednesday alleged that ''200-250 TMC goons'' attacked his car and assaulted his driver during polling for the second and final phase of the West Bengal assembly elections. The TMC did not immediately respond to the allegations. Sardar claimed the incident took place in the Kanthalberia area when he was visiting polling booths in the constituency. ''TMC is doing 'goonda giri' (hooliganism) everywhere in the constituency. Around 200 to 250 TMC goons attacked my car with rods and bamboo sticks. They also assaulted my driver,'' he told reporters. He alleged that stones were hurled at his vehicle and claimed that central forces were later rushed to the spot following the incident. The BJP candidate further accused policemen of beating him up. ''My car was attacked and I was also beaten up by policemen. They are helping the ruling party instead of ensuring free and fair polls,'' Sardar alleged. Polling is underway in 142 constituencies across south Bengal in the second and final phase of the assembly elections amid heavy deployment of central forces and heightened security arrangements. A total of 39.97 per cent of 3.21 crore voters exercised their franchise till 11 am, a senior EC official said.

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