CALCUTTA, June 25: The by-election to the three West Bengal Assembly constituencies today passed off peacefully barring a few minor incidents of violence. Over four lakh people exercised their franchise today.Though the official turnout of voters was pegged at around 60 per cent, the main opposition parties complained about a ``low turnout'' particularly in two Calcutta Assembly constituencies.Chief electoral officer Jahwar Sarkar informed the press that barring a few minor incidents, polling in Bowbazar and Rashbehari in north-west and south Calcutta respectively and in Chanditala passed off peacefully. Chanditala in Hooghly district was the only rural Assembly seat to go to polls today.
However, the main opposition parties, the Congress and the Trinamool, which took part in the by-elections, contested the LF and official claim saying the turnout was low.
Trinamool candidates, S Chattopadhyaya in Rashbehari and Naina Das Bandopadhya in Bowbazar also complained about a ``low turnout''. Congressspokesman and senior leader Manas Bhuian told The Indian Express that the state government's failure to ensure a holiday in the constituencies contributed to a low turnout today.
Bhuian claimed though there wasn't ``much of rigging'', the CPI(M) compensated it by organising proxy-voting. ``The LF big brother brought people from outside these constituencies to carry out proxy-voting,'' Bhuian alleged.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
