Kolkata, 23 April (H.S.) : Tension prevailed in several parts of West Bengal ahead of the first phase of polling for the 2026 Assembly elections, with allegations of an attack on a Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader in Jhargram district and multiple reports of Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) malfunctions from polling booths across the state.

According to police and local sources, trouble broke out in Gopiballavpur of Jhargram district on Wednesday night after some motorcycle riders were accused of running over a puppy, triggering a dispute.

It was alleged that following the altercation, a group of people went to a local TMC party office where booth president Rabindranath Bala was present.

The TMC alleged that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporters assaulted Bala with sticks, causing serious head injuries. He was rushed to Gopiballavpur Hospital, where he is undergoing treatment. The BJP, however, denied the allegations.

Meanwhile, as polling began on Thursday morning, complaints of EVM glitches surfaced from several districts. Voting could not commence on schedule at some booths in Murshidabad, Malda, Kanthi and Alipurduar.

At Booth No. 19 in Kumarsanda area of Kandi block in Murshidabad, polling did not start at 7 am due to an EVM malfunction. Similar complaints were reported from Booth No. 211 in Chanchal area of Malda.

In Alipurduar’s Mendabari area of Kalchini, polling at Booth No. 205 began only after the faulty EVM was replaced.

Fresh tension was also reported from Sitalkuchi in Cooch Behar district. Allegations surfaced that some local voters heading to Booth No. 148 were obstructed on the way by BJP supporters. The BJP rejected the charge.

Polling is underway for 152 Assembly constituencies in the first phase. The Election Commission has deployed central forces extensively to maintain law and order and ensure free and fair voting. Officials said all complaints were being addressed promptly.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh