EC directs to file FIR against Babul Supriyo for trespassing into poll booth, threatening officer

The Election Commission (EC) of India on Monday directed West Bengal police to register an FIR against BJP MP Babul Supriyo for allegedly trespassing into a booth and threatening a polling agent and an officer in the Asansol Lok Sabha constituency. The development comes hours after the poll panel sought an detail report on the alleged clash that broke out over Supriyo's forceful entrance in the booth number 199.

"Election Commission directs to register FIR against Babul Supriyo, Union Minister and BJP candidate from Asansol Lok Sabha seat, for allegedly trespassing into booth number 199 and threatening a polling agent and an officer," the news agency ANI reported.

Election Commission directs to register FIR against Babul Supriyo, Union Minister & BJP candidate from Asansol LS seat, for allegedly trespassing into booth number 199 and threatening a polling agent and an officer. (file pic) pic.twitter.com/fu20QRvq8d

— ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2019

Early in the day, Supriyo's car was vandalised in Asansol, but the Union Minister was escaped unhurt. The incident took place in the Barabani area when he went inside a polling booth to ensure that his party agents be allowed inside. The rear glass of the vehicle was shattered.

Speking to media, Supriyo said, "They are trying to stop me. But they won't be able to stop me like this. I will move to ensure that BJP agents are allowed. These men have attacked my car but said I was resorting to hooliganism. It is a ploy to confine me at a place but I will move".

"Central force can take charge of the booths but the agents are not able to come out from their houses. I will try to go to as many places as possible and help them. This is the modus operandi of the ruling party," he added.

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Trinamool Congress workers, on the other hand, alleged that Supriyo and his men had manhandled them.

Supriyo, the sitting MP of the Asansol parliamentary constituency, has been re-nominated by the BJP, where he is pitted against the Trinamool Congress candidate and Tollywood actress Moon Moon Sen.

The attack on the BJP minister comes on a day when voting for eight West Bengal parliamentary constituencies was underway in the fourth phase of Lok the Sabha polls. The seats are Baharampur, Krishnanagar, Ranaghat, Bardhaman Purba, Bardhaman - Durgapur, Asansol, Bolpur and Birbhum.

General Elections in West Bengal is scheduled to be held in all seven phases between April 11 and May 19. The counting of votes will be taken up on May 23.

HIGHLIGHTS

• EC directs to file FIR against Babul Supriyo.
• Supriyo is accused of trespassing and threatening poll officer.
• Early in the day, Supriyo's car was vandalised in Asansol.