Congress candidate from Baharampur Assembly constituency, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, on Wednesday said that expecting violence-free elections in West Bengal remains unrealistic, alleging that such tensions are often linked to the ruling establishment.
Speaking during polling in Murshidabad, the senior Congress leader said that while incidents of unrest remain a concern, voters are still stepping out in large numbers to exercise their democratic rights.
“It is impossible to expect elections in Bengal to be free of violence. We expected this from the ruling party’s side,” Chowdhury said.
Central Forces Boost Voter Confidence
Despite the concerns over violence, Chowdhury said the deployment of Central Forces across polling stations has created a sense of security among the electorate.
According to him, the visible presence of security personnel has reassured ordinary voters and encouraged them to participate without fear.
“The common people feel that they will be able to vote because Central Forces have been deployed in large numbers here,” he stated.
The Congress leader added that this security arrangement has played an important role in improving public confidence during the ongoing phase of voting.
Heavy Turnout Seen in Murshidabad
Chowdhury noted that voters in Murshidabad were turning out enthusiastically despite the tense political backdrop, indicating that fear had not prevented people from participating in the electoral process.
He said the public’s willingness to vote reflected their determination to make their voices heard.
“Common people are participating in the elections without fear,” he added.
