High drama, violence and personal attacks as Nandigram votes in 2nd phase of polls

In the Boyal region in the Nandigram constituency, villagers alleged that BJP supporters stopped them from going to polling booths.

As soon as CM Mamata Banerjee reached the Boyal area, BJP supporters chanted the 'Jai Shri Ram' slogans.

Supporters of the two parties then indulged in violence, as TMC leaders demanded re-polling in booth number 7. Soon, a heavy police contingent was rushed to the spot to control the situation.

A huge police force was rushed to the spot to control the situation.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday (April 1) accused 'goons from other states' for the poll violence in Nandigram.

She also called Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankar to complain against the violence urging him to control the situation in the state.

"Goons from other states creating ruckus here,"  Mamata Banerjee said in Nandigram after a tour of the several polling booths in the Assembly constituency. 

The Trinamool Congress chief is pitted against protege-turned-adversary Suvendu Adhikari of the BJP in the high-profile Nandigram constituency.

The contest has become a battle of prestige for both the ruling TMC and BJP which is eyeing to script history by denying Mamata a third stint. 

Suvendu Adhikari's convoy was allegedly attacked with stones at two places while visiting booths in the assembly constituency.

His motorcade was also gheraoed as TMC supporters started shouting slogans against the BJP leader. Vehicles in the convoy were pelted with stones.

BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari said that "I am used to such protests by TMC goons. They are all followers of Mamata begum (Banerjee). Let them do whatever they want till the results are out on May 2." 

The Election Commission of India sought a detailed report from the state administration on the violence that happened in the Boyal region in the Nandigram constituency. 

Deputy Election Commissioner Sudeep Jain sought a report from the administration regarding the incident outside a polling booth in the Boyal area, and the death of a person in the Keshpur area earlier in the day.

The polling has ended for 30 assembly seats in the second phase of Bengal Assembly elections. Over 83.95 per cent voter turnout was recorded till 6 PM with the highest voting in Bankura and the lowest in Paschim Medinipur constituency.

CM Mamata Banerjee is contesting against Suvendu Adhikari from Nandigram constituency, recorded 80.79 per cent turnout.

In West Bengal, 43 Ballot Units and CUs each were replaced following glitches. A total of 192 VVPATs were replaced during polling yesterday.