Abhishek Banerjee alleges a voter died following an “assault” by central authorities.

Abhishek Banerjee, a senior Trinamool Congress politician, said on Wednesday that an elderly voter had died from injuries sustained after being assaulted by the central forces while voting for the second phase of the West Bengal assembly polls. The voter, who was being assisted by his son at a polling booth in Udaynarayanpur, received interference from the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF). Banerjee charged the central forces stationed in the state as the BJP’s “private army” and intimidating voters in a sharply worded post on X.

Statements of Systemic Misconduct

In relation to the Udaynarayanpur case, Abhishek Banerjee said that the elderly had gone to vote along with his son and fell unconscious after being beaten up and shamed by the central forces.

As Banerjee reported, “The elderly man fell unconscious, taken to the Amta hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.” The Diamond Harbour MP also alleged that the central forces were “lapsing women, assaulting the elderly, even attacking kids” ever since morning. He compared the situation with the “Sitalkuchi mindset of 2021.”

Banerjee predicted that the BJP would “pay even a costlier price in 2026” having already paid the political cost for the Sitalkuchi fire of 2021.

The federal government’s choice to keep a sizable security presence in the state after the polls closed was also questioned by the TMC. TMC insiders questioned the need to maintain 700 companies on the ground now that voting is over, despite Home Minister Amit Shah’s earlier announcement that forces would stay for 60 days after the election. At the moment, the state is home to a record 2,450 CAPF enterprises, which together employ almost 2.5 lakh people.

Historic Performance Figures

The turnout for the second round was exceptional even amid allegations of violence. In fact, by 5 pm, 89.99% had cast their votes in the 142 seats that were contested on Wednesday, compared to 80.4% in the same constituencies in 2021.

In Phase 1, conducted on April 23 for 152 seats, voter turnout was recorded at 93.19%, the highest since independence in India. The completion of both phases of the elections puts all focus on the counting that will be held on May 4.