Kolkata: An 86 per cent voter turnout was on Sunday recorded in the crucial election to six municipalities across West Bengal, the first major test for the Trinamool- Congress alliance after its landslide victory in the 2011 Assembly polls on the back of a huge anti-incumbency wave.
All 129 seats in the six civic bodies — Durgapur, Dhupguri, Haldia, Nalhati, Daspur and Coopers’ Camp — witnessed triangular contests among the Congress, Trinamool Congress and CPI(M)-led Left Front. The seats were spread over five districts – Jalpaiguri, East Midnapore, Haldia, Birbhum and Bardhaman. Cooper’s Camp in Nadia district recorded the highest 93.28 per cent polling.
Though alliance partners, Trinamool and Congress fought the civic elections independently, a reflection of their bitter rivalry. Congress and opposition CPI(M) alleged that the polls were far from free and fair and accused Trinamool activists of resorting to booth-capturing and rigging. “We are disappointed the way polls were held. Agents were physically assaulted and removed from booths by TMC workers. There were widespread irregularities. We have lodged a complaint with the state election commission,” WBPCC President Pradip Bhattacharya said. (PTI)
