"Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is trying to make inroads into the state it has never been in power in and is locked in a fray with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress Party (TMC."
"Banerjee alleged widespread interference by central forces and poll observers at the behest of the BJP, the ruling party at the national level. 'The BJP wants to forcefully rig the election,' she said while talking to reporters."
"Sporadic incidents of violence were reported from parts of the state. In Bally, clashes broke out over alleged electronic voting machine malfunctions, prompting security forces to use batons, with two people detained."
"In a post on X, Modi urged the people of West Bengal to vote in large numbers. 'It is important that the women and youth of West Bengal, in particular, turnout in large numbers and exercise their franchise,' he wrote."
Voting commenced in the final phase of West Bengal assembly elections, involving 1,448 candidates across 142 constituencies. Reports indicated violence and technical glitches at polling stations. Prime Minister Modi's BJP aims to gain power in a state traditionally ruled by Mamata Banerjee's TMC. Banerjee accused the BJP of attempting to rig the elections. Incidents of violence included clashes over voting machine issues and assaults on party polling agents. Approximately 32.1 million voters are eligible, with vote counting scheduled for May 4.
Read at www.dw.com
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