As the sun played hide and seek since dawn voting began at 6-Agartala, 8-Bordowali, 46- Surma and 57- Jubarajnagar constituencies at 7 am with much enthusiasm. According to the Election department four assembly constituencies that went to by-polls on Thursday recorded 68.37 percent votes till 3 pm though at midday drizzling began in Agartala that dampened and slowed the voting process to a great extent. From some places allegations of rigging by ruling BJP workers were raised by opposition parties.
At around 4 pm rains began and the huge serpentine queue that was seen in front of polling stations got thinned out. As it seems total voting percentage at the end would not be like that of previous years.
Although there were reports of skirmishes and stray incidents involving rival political parties, the voting was largely peaceful, said officials. Opposition parties and some of the opposition voters claimed that they were prevented by the ruling BJP activists from voting, in some cases, it was alleged that they were also physically assaulted despite massive security arrangements.
Allegations of such assaults and rigging were raised by CPM, Congress and mostly Trinamool Congress. As soon as the election began the TMC IT cell became highly active and started sending reports of attacks on their voters and supporters. CPM also did the same. Many claimed that they were physically prevented by BJP workers but managed to vote.
Incumbent Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha, BJP candidate Dr Ashok Sinha, Congress candidate Sudip Roy Barman, Ashis Saha, CPM candidate Krishna Majumdar, TMC candidate Panna Deb all cast their votes in their respective polling stations.
Though in many places Congress workers were seen camping the absence of CPM and TMC workers in 6 Agartala and 8 Bordowali constituencies was conspicuous. In many polling centres like that of ITI they were no where to be seen. Only CPM candidate Krishna Majumdar was seen once visiting the polling station alone with her security.
