Ghatal (West Bengal): BJP candidate from West Midnapore district’s Ghatal and former IPS officer Bharati Ghosh was, on Sunday, stopped from entering a polling booth at Keshpur by a group of women, said to be Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers, who accused her of influencing the voters.
These agitators reportedly attacked, heckled, pushed her to the ground and chased her to a temple, where she sought refuge.
She was reportedly heckled and bricks were pelted at her convoy near Keshpur, injuring one of her security guards as her car along with some other vehicles belonging to the media was vandalised. Ghosh, who reportedly received minor injuries in the attack, broke down after the incident and was rescued by her security guards.
Speaking about her ordeal, Ghosh said that the police forced her to get out of her car in front of an “angry mob”. She accused the administration of trying to have her killed and said that there was “massive rigging in Midnapore”.
Her security personnel claimed they had to fire in the air in a bid to control the situation and to save their own lives. However, a Trinamool worker was said to have sustained a bullet injury due to the firing.
Locals say that people are angry with Ghosh after she warned the TMC supporters that she would drag them from their homes and beat them up if they tried to prevent BJP supporters from voting.
The Election Commission has sought a report after Ghosh allegedly entered the polling booth with her cellphone and an armed guard and recorded a video. They have asked the Midnapore District Magistrate to file and FIR against her in this regard.
(With inputs from IANS)
