EC Directs FIR Against BJP’s Babul Supriyo Over Asansol Violence

Babul Supriyo allegedly trespassed into booth number 199 and threatened a polling agent and an officer.

File Image of Babul Supriyo

(Photo: PTI)

The Election Commission has directed West Bengal Police to register an FIR against Union Minister and BJP candidate from Asansol, Babul Supriyo, on Monday, 29 April, for allegedly trespassing into booth number 199 and threatening a polling agent and an officer.

Earlier in the day, clashes broke out between Trinamool Congress workers and security personnel at a polling booth in Asansol in West Bengal during the fourth phase of Lok Sabha elections.

“In Barabani, BJP candidate and central minister minister Babul Supriyo’s vehicle was vandalised allegedly by the workers of the TMC outside a polling station, while in Jemua, voters fled a polling station after being threatened by miscreants,” an official told PTI.

Supriyo, the sitting MP from Asansol, is up against Moon Moon Sen of TMC, Gouranga Chatterjee of CPI (M) and Biswarup Mondal of Congress in the constituency.

According to reports, Supriyo had a tiff with the polling officials inside a booth, following which TMC supporters attacked his vehicle.

Supriyo, on his part, said, “I visited Barabani to witness the poll process, but found that voters were not being allowed to exercise their franchise. Our fight is to establish democracy... It is shameful that I have to say this in a democratic country.”

‘Got My Bed Tea Late, So Can’t Say,’ Says TMC Candidate

Meanwhile, Asansol’s Trinamool Congress candidate Moon Moon Sen has reportedly said that she was not aware of the incident as she got her bed tea late.

“They gave me my bed tea very late so I woke up very late. What can I say? I really don't know," NDTV quoted Sen, as saying.

Asked about Babul Supriyo's allegations, she said, "Don't say his name please. I won't talk then.”

(With inputs from PTI)