Kolkata, 29 April (H.S.): Amid voting in the second phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections, police issued a warning to Kartik Banerjee, brother of Trinamool Congress candidate and outgoing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, in Kolkata’s Bhabanipur.

According to reports, Kartik Banerjee was sitting near a polling station with several people when police intervened, stating that gatherings of more than four people were not permitted in the vicinity of polling booths. He was subsequently cautioned by the authorities.

Bhabanipur has emerged as one of the most high-profile constituencies in this phase, with Mamata Banerjee facing BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari. The seat has drawn statewide and national attention, with heightened tensions reported during the campaign period. Police have stepped up vigilance to ensure peaceful polling.

Meanwhile, tension was also reported from the neighbouring Rashbehari constituency in south Kolkata. Allegations surfaced that a Congress polling agent was being prevented from entering a booth. It was claimed that Trinamool Congress workers and supporters were creating obstruction.

In Rashbehari, the Congress has fielded Ashutosh Chatterjee, while the Trinamool Congress candidate is Debasish Kumar. The BJP has nominated former journalist Swapan Dasgupta, and the Left has fielded Manas Ghosh of CPI (ML) Liberation.

Reports of delays and technical glitches also emerged from Dum Dum and New Town areas. In North Dum Dum’s Booth No. 207, allegations were made that ink had been applied on the button of the Trinamool Congress on the EVM. Separately, an EVM malfunction was reported during mock polling at Booth No. 10 in the same area.

At Booth No. 22 in Aditya Academy, under the Rajarhat-New Town constituency, polling did not begin at the scheduled time of 7 am, prompting BJP candidate Piyush Kanoria to express dissatisfaction.

Overall, while polling is underway, scattered incidents of tension, allegations, and technical issues have been reported, with authorities maintaining heightened vigilance to ensure a smooth electoral process.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey