Election Commission orders arrests after alleged assault on BJP candidate amid scattered violence
April 23, 2026: Polling in West Bengal was disrupted by violence in Kumarganj, where BJP candidate Suvendu Sarkar was allegedly assaulted. The BJP accused workers of the All India Trinamool Congress of carrying out the attack as Sarkar was heading towards a polling booth. Party leaders claimed he was stopped, beaten, and later taken for medical treatment, adding that the incident occurred in the presence of police. Taking note, the Election Commission of India has ordered immediate action and directed the arrest of those identified in video footage.
The BJP further alleged that its polling agent was prevented from entering the booth, intensifying tensions. The TMC, however, denied all allegations. The incident forms part of a broader pattern of sporadic violence reported during the first phase of elections across 152 constituencies, even as voter turnout crossed 41% by 11 am.
Clashes were also reported in areas like Naoda, where supporters of the Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) and TMC engaged in confrontation, prompting police to use baton charge. Similar incidents emerged from Labhpur, where a BJP polling agent was reportedly injured. Despite these flashpoints, officials maintained that polling remained largely peaceful overall, with heavy security deployment in sensitive zones as authorities continue to monitor the situation closely.