West Bengal: Opp parties complain about violence, FIR registered against BJP's Barrackpore candidate Arjun Singh

Arjun Singh has suffered mild injuries.

Opposition parties in West Bengal accused the Trinamool Congress of letting loose violence during the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections in the state on Monday, and demanded repoll in various booths across seven constituencies.

A scuffle between Barrackpore seat's BJP candidate Arjun Singh and central forces was reported when the former TMC MLA tried to enter a booth following allegations that voters were not being allowed to exercise their franchise there, the official said.

The TMC strongman, who switched to BJP, got into a scuffle with central forces. An FIR was registered against him for ‘physically attacking’ a lady in Titagarh.

BJP meanwhile demanded a repoll.

"We demand repoll in most of the booths. The way TMC has used goons and state police to rig the elections is condemnable. It is afraid of defeat, that is why the party has unleashed such unprecedented violence," BJP national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya said.

The CPI(M) alleged that violence had become the hallmark of Bengal during polls.

"We don't understand what is the Election Commission doing? Why has it failed to take strict action against those who have complaints against them," CPI(M) politburo member Mohammed Salim said.

The Trinamool Congress, however, blamed the BJP and the CPI(M) of instigating violence during the elections.

"The BJP and the CPI(M) beat up our workers during the polls. The people of Bengal will reject these divisive forces," TMC secretary general Partha Chatterjee said.

At least 12 people, including five journalists were injured in clashes between TMC and BJP workers at different places on Monday, West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer Ariz Aftab told reporters here.

A total 73.97 per cent of the 1,16,91,889-strong electorate cast their votes in seven parliamentary constituencies in West Bengal till 5 pm in the fifth phase.

The incidents were reported from Bangaon (SC), Barrackpore, Hooghly and Howrah constituencies, an official said.

The Congress Monday alleged none of the Modi government's flagship schemes has met its target and said the Prime Minister "will sink in his own wave of lies".

Addressing a press conference at the Congress headquarters here, party leader Navjot Singh Sidhu shared details about various schemes of the BJP government.

"I am keeping the truth of flagship programs in front of you. The Prime Minister will sink in his own wave of lies. It is a guarantee," he said.

"All the work remains incomplete, but the lies are complete. Their promises are like a bamboo -- very long but hollow from inside," he added.

Talking first about the "Rs 20,000-crore" Namami Gange scheme launched in 2015, Sidhu said that Water Resources Minister Nitin Gadkari had claimed that 80 per cent of Ganga cleaning work will be completed by 2019.

"Out of Rs 20,000 crore earmarked for the scheme, only Rs 6,000 crore has been spent. Only 10 per cent of the sewage treatment plants have been made. The Ganga is most unclean in Varanasi," Sidhu claimed.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi represents Varanasi in the Lok Sabha. He also contesting the 2019 election from the constituency.

Sidhu said, "The National Ganges Council was supposed to meet once a year. The PM is its chairman and the CMs of the five states that have Ganga basin are its members. This Council has not met even once in last five years." The Punjab minister also talked about the much publicised Digital India scheme of the Modi government.

"Digital India was supposed to connect 2.5 lakh villages with broadband connections by February 2019. Only 1.1 lakh villages have got the optic fibre cable as yet...The internet has not worked in even two per cent of villages," he said.

"Now this work is being outsourced to companies such as Reliance and Vodafone," he alleged.

Under the 'Skill India' program, the Modi government promised skill enhancement for 40 crore people, according to Sidhu.

"Only 41 lakh people have been trained...Out of 41 lakh, only 6 lakh people have got placement," he claimed.

Sidhu also talked about the progress in the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) scheme, which was launched in 2015.

"AMRUT scheme has 500 cities under it where sewage facilities and water connectivity has to be provided. Its project utilisation is just 3 per cent. Can you imagine? In BJP-ruled states of Assam and Bihar, not a single project has been completed," the former cricketer said.

Bihar is ruled by Nitish Kumar-led Janata Dal United (JDU) in alliance with the BJP.

Talking about Mudra scheme, Sidhu said that average sanctioned loan under it comes at Rs 46,000. "The person, who has an annual income of Rs 1.11 lakh, you are giving him a loan of Rs 46,000 and asking him to start a business. What a joke this is?" he asked.

"Just one per cent of the loans given under the Mudra scheme were above Rs 5 lakhs," he added.

The PMMY (Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana) was launched by the PM on April 8, 2015, for providing loans of up to Rs 10 lakh to the non-corporate, non-farm small and micro enterprises.

About Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana, Sidhu said, "In phase 3, 78 per cent of the 786 MPs (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) have not adopted any village...46 per cent of the Union ministers have not identified any village. The scheme does not have any budgetary allocation." He also talked about the Jayapur and Nagepur - two villages which have been adopted by the PM in Varanasi.

"Under Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, 400 toilets were made in these two villages. In 80 per cent of the toilets, cow dung and firewood are being stored...The PM installed solar street lights. It does not have motor or batteries," said Sidhu, who was earlier with the BJP.

Sindhu also alleged that out of Rs 684 crore allocated under the "Beti Padhao, Beti Bachao" scheme, 56 per cent of the money has been used in advertisements featuring the PM. "Only 25 per cent of the funds have gone to the states. 19 per cent of funds have not been issued." About Nirbhaya fund, he said that only 15 per cent of the money has been utilised.

"Can you imagine? These are the flagship programs of the PM Modi...Liar-in-Chief is his name. Then he (PM) complains that Sidhu has called me a liar. Only the weak complain. The brave ones defeat their opponents. Should I call you Raja Harischandra?" he asked.

About Fasal Bima Yojana, Sidhu said it is "even a bigger scam than Rafale scam". "I am saying it categorically." "Under the UPA government, 4.85 crore farmers were insured. Under the Modi government, 4.87 crores were insured. The premium taken by under the UPA regime was just Rs 10,560 crore. All of these are government companies such as LIC," he said.

"Under the Modi government, while the number of people insured are the same as UPA, the premium taken is Rs 47,408 crore...The premium has increased by five times," he added.

Sidhu further said that while under UPA regime, Rs 28,564 crore was paid as claims under the Fasal Bima Yojana, under the Modi government it is Rs 31,613 crore.

"This means the difference Rs 16,000 crore goes directly into the pockets of Reliance, Birlas and Tatas...Against a premium of Rs 47,000 crore, they just paid Rs 31,000 crore," he said.

Some of the major things which have happened today: 

* In Barrackpore, BJP candidate Arjun Singh got roughed up by TMC workers

* In Howrah, TMC candidate Prasun Banerjee got into a scuffle with central forces. He was allegedly forced out of a booth

* BJP worker was brutally beaten up in Howrah.

* Massive bombarding took place in Hingli, Bongaon. 1 TMC worker injured

* Bangaon BJP candidate Shantanu Thakur showcaused for allegedly breaking poll code.

Here are details: 

In Howrah's Litikuri school, TMC workers got involved in argument and scuffle with central forces. TMC allege that central forces were openly working for BJP and were asking people to give vote on button no 1. TMC alleges that their workers were asked to get out of the booth even though were polling agents. When Howrah MP Prasun Banerjee tried to intervene he too was heckled and was forced out of the booth by central forces. 

In Barrackpore, BJP's bahubali candidate Arjun Singh was allegedly attacked in the morning. In Amtala's Mohanpur, a woman reached out to Arjun saying her son who is a BJP polling candidate couldn't be found and could not enter the polling booth She alleged that TMC workers are threatening that they will be murdered after May 23. Immediately Arjun Singh helped find out the polling agent named Tapas Das and made him sit in the booth. Soon,TMC cadres came rushing in and scuffle ensured in which Arjun Singh got injured, according to Zee Media inputs. He had a cut on his lip after a scuffle with TMC supporters.

TMC on their part have alleged that BJP workers under Arjun Singh were trying to intimidate voters and even roughed up a flower seller. 

Huge number of central forces have reached the area to normalise the situation. Voting is taking place smoothly but situation continues to remain tense in that area. 

In Howrah's 261 number ward, BJP worker was badly beaten up after clashes broke out between TMC and BJP workers. He was bleeding profusely and was rushed to the hospital. BJP worker Parashuram's face was disfigured, nose bloodied and teeth shattered. 

The ruling Trinamool Congress, the BJP, the Congress and Left Front constituent CPI(M) are the main contenders in the seven seats where the fate of 83 candidates will be decided by a 1,16,91,889-strong electorate.

In Tarakeshwar, Trinamool Chhatra Parishad leader Maharaja Nag was allegedly 'helping' voters to make 'informed choice'. He was telling them outside the booth about which button to press, and was also frequently entering the booth.  EC has sought report regarding this incident and the presiding officer has been transferred. 

In Kashempukur, located in the Duttapukur area, BJP camp office was allegedly attacked by TMC. In Bangaoan's Gaighata, BJP supporter was allegedly attacked by TMC and his bike was set on fire. 

With PTI inputs