Cooch Behar: There has been widespread violence in the ongoing West Bengal assembly elections, which is being conducted in eight phases with the help of a massive posse of central forces.
On Saturday, during fourth phase of polling in the state, though, all hell broke loose during a clash between Trinamool Congress (TMC) and BJP supporters in the northern district of Cooch Behar, resulting in five people losing their lives allegedly after CAPF forces opened fire as they were being attacked.
The state of affairs on election day can be gauged from TMC candidate and minister Rabindranath Ghosh’s ‘act’.
Ghosh, the North Bengal Development minister, took no chances as far as self-defence was concerned and was seen walking to a poll booth wearing a helmet.
Asked if he was scared of violence, Ghosh told ABP Live: “No I’m not scared, but I have to save my head.”
Ghosh, who is seeking re-election from Natabari constituency in Cooch Behar district, said the first three phases of polling – on March 27, April 1 and April 6 – saw a lot of violence and pointed the finger at BJP.
“We want peaceful and fair elections, but they (BJP) have been beating up our leaders and workers everywhere. I have to protect my head,” Ghosh observed.
