Kolkata, Apr 29 (PTI) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari landed in the same polling booth area in Bhabanipur's Chakraberia on Wednesday morning, and took
swipes at one another without any direct interaction, underlining the prestige battle unfolding in the CM's political bastion.
Though they did not come face-to-face or exchange courtesies, the two rival candidates were briefly in the same area in ward number 70 of Chakraberia, where Banerjee was seated outside a local party office after receiving complaints of alleged intimidation of local TMC leaders.
As Banerjee remained on the verandah of the party office, Adhikari arrived on the road, just opposite the spot, accompanied by a large contingent of central forces personnel, and launched an attack on the chief minister, claiming she had realised that "not a single vote" was coming her way.
While Banerjee accused the BJP of trying to "rig" the election using central forces, police observers and election officials, Adhikari dismissed her allegations as signs of "frustration", saying the chief minister was "scared" because state police no longer controlled the polling process.
"Mamata Banerjee is scared. Her police have been replaced by central forces, which is why she is scared. The Election Commission has deployed CAPFs here, so if she has any problem, she should approach the EC. Why have 40-50 people come with her?" Adhikari said.
He claimed Union Home Minister Amit Shah had also called him.
Adhikari also accused Banerjee of moving around with "50-60 goons" despite prohibitory orders under Section 163 being in force.
"Mamata Banerjee is a candidate. She can certainly visit booths. But why this 'goodagardi' (hooliganism)? I have complained to the Kolkata DEO. No one will be allowed to indulge in intimidation this time," he said.
Standing at Chakraberia, Adhikari also campaigned against Banerjee, saying, "No one is voting for her. People should be allowed to vote freely. I will win Bhabanipur with a margin of at least 30,000 votes."
Banerjee, who usually steps out of her Kalighat residence only in the afternoon to cast her vote at Mitra Institution School, broke convention this time and hit the ground before 8 am, signalling the political stakes attached to the constituency and the larger battle for south Bengal.
As polling got underway in 142 constituencies in the second and final phase of the assembly elections, Banerjee moved through Chetla, Padmapukur and Chakraberia, visiting booths, speaking to local leaders and sitting outside the polling station in ward number 70 after complaints that the local councillor was allegedly being prevented from stepping out of his home.
"The BJP wants to rig this election. Elections in West Bengal are usually peaceful. Is there goonda raj here?" Banerjee told reporters, alleging that democratic norms had been severely compromised.
She accused central forces and election observers of acting at the BJP's behest and claimed TMC workers and leaders were being selectively targeted across districts.
"Several observers have come from outside and are acting as per the BJP's directions. They are going to police stations and creating pressure. They are calling for the arrest of all TMC agents. My party's youth president was picked up this morning and later released," she alleged.
Claiming that she and TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee had stayed awake through the night monitoring the situation, the chief minister said, "Atrocities took place across West Bengal last night. We were awake the entire night. Our workers are ready to die, but we will not allow democracy to be murdered."
Banerjee also alleged that outsiders were being brought into the constituency and all TMC flags had been removed before polling began.
Showing videos to reporters, she alleged that central forces had visited the house of the councillor of ward number 70 when only his wife was present.
"When central forces went there, his wife was alone at home. She was threatened and even told her phone could be taken away. Is this how elections are conducted?" she asked.
Earlier in the day, Banerjee visited the Chetla area and stopped near the residence of Kolkata Port TMC candidate and state minister Firhad Hakim, alleging harassment by central forces and poll observers.
"Late at night, they went to Hakim's house and banged on the door. His wife was there. Women were terrified," she said.
She also raised the issue of alleged unrest in Bhangar and accused the Election Commission of failing to ensure neutrality.
"These people are doing all these things and then asking for votes. Will people vote for them? They want to win by force," she said.
The BJP, however, dismissed the allegations and accused Banerjee of trying to create confusion after sensing public anger against the ruling party.
Adhikari, who offered prayers at two temples in the Khidirpur area before beginning his rounds, coordinated polling operations from three locations in the Bhabanipur constituency -- Nizam Palace, the Chakraberia BJP office and ICCR -- while moving across booth areas and meeting voters.
Taking a swipe at Banerjee's departure from her usual polling-day routine, he remarked, "If there is no pressure, the cat does not climb the tree."
"Doesn't matter where she goes, she will lose," he said, asserting that the Election Commission had made proper arrangements for free and fair polling.
Later in the day, Adhikari also visited the Mitra Institution booth area, where Banerjee traditionally casts her vote, and asserted confidently, "I will win this booth too."
As Adhikari passed by the Kalighat area, TMC workers raised slogans against him, and the police personnel had a tough time controlling the cadres of both parties. Cadres of TMC and BJP raised “Jai Bangla” and “Jai Shree Ram” slogans, respectively. PTI PNT AMR ACD PNT BDC
