Lok Sabha elections: CPM candidate Md Salim’s car attacked in Raigunj

KOLKATA: Violence was reported in different parts of North Dinajpur in Bengal, particularly at

Raigunj

where the election took place on Thursday, as the sitting MP and CPM’s candidate from Raigunj seat

Md Salim

’s car was attacked allegedly by Trinamool Congress supporters. Salim alleged that he had gone to a booth in Islampur area where he was mobbed by Trinamool goons and they hurled stones at his car damaging the glass and injured his driver. Raigunj is one of the

Lok Sabha

seats in Bengal where a four-cornered fight is on with Trinamool, BJP, Congress and CPM has almost close strength to win the seat. Former Union minister Priya Ranjan Das Munshi’s wife Deepa Dasmunshi is the Congress candidate from Raigunj.


Salim alleged that state police stood as mere spectators and did not come to his rescue. He alleged that the Trinamool men had driven away all the agents from the Patpara booth where he had gone to protest against the rigging by Trinamool Congress party, for which he was attacked. He said that there was no

central force

in the vicinity. Even the presiding officer was intimidated at the booth by Trinamool he alleged and added that the officer was obeying the command of TMC. However, Salim said that he was not injured

Salim alleged that Trinamool Congress workers were behind the attack.

He alleged that the state police and Trinamool Congress party workers have a nexus and for which the state police did not come to his help. He had reported the matter to the Election Commission (EC). He alleged that the EC did not take proper action for free and fair polls. However, Trinamool Congress district president of North Dinajpur Amal Acharya said that the attack on the car of Salim was organised by Salim himself sensing defeat. Acharya said that Trinamool was not involved in the attack.

Earlier in the day several persons were injured in bombings at Chopra area of North Dinajpur which comes under Darjeeling seat. A TV journalist was also injured. Police had to lob tear gas shells to control the clashing mob. Some people had also staged a blockade in protest against the violence and for being unable to cast votes in Chopra. Police had also lathicharged in Chopra, BJP alleged.