Bhatpara Bypoll: Bombs allegedly hurled at Madan Mitra's car, police vehicle attacked

Trinamool Congress leader Madan Mitra, who is contesting from Bhatpara seat in the assembly bypoll in West Bengal, alleged that his car was attacked with crude bombs and bricks in 24 North Parganas district's Kankinara on Sunday. According to reports, a police vehicle was also allegedly targeted by BJP workers.

The situation in the area remains tense as quick response teams were rushed to the spot.

Meanwhile, the Trinamool Congress alleged that Central forces, taking orders from the BJP, "mercilessly beating up" citizens and its party  workers. "After being briefed from BJP Headquarters, central forces are performing an unprecedented role in Bengal. They have now resorted to intimidation and torture. They are mercilessly beating up Trinamool workers. We are against violence and want the polling process to be peaceful. But the BJP are resorting to high level of violence in the Bhatpara Assembly bypoll. This is dangerous for democracy. Goons of Arjun Singh have hurled bombs and even attacked the Trinamool candidate Shri Madan Mitra," TMC MP Derek O'Brien said in a statement.

"This is a horror story being executed with the full support of central forces," the statement added.

On Saturday evening, a massive violence broke out allegedly between Trinamool Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers in Bhatpara area. Incidents of bullet firing and bombing were also reported from the area. A couple of vehicles were also set on fire in the violence.

Violence has marred polling in West Bengal during the previous six phases. It spread to the streets of Kolkata on Tuesday, when suspected TMC and BJP workers clashed during a roadshow of saffron party chief Amit Shah.

A bust of polymath and social reformer Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar was damaged. Both the parties have blamed each other for its desecration.

By-poll to five assembly constituencies of West Bengal is being held on Sunday and the votes there will be counted along with those of all the Lok Sabha seats. The five assembly seats - Darjeeling, Islampur, Kandi, Habibpur (ST) and Bhatpara - fell vacant after the sitting MLAs resigned following their nomination to contest the Lok Sabha elections.