Kolkata

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday alleged that the central forces, deployed for assembly polls, were working in favour of the BJP and claimed that the ongoing state elections were not being conducted in a free and fair manner.

After casting her vote at Mitra Institution school in her Bhabanipur constituency, Banerjee launched a sharp attack on the central forces, alleging that her party workers and polling agents were being intimidated and driven out of booths.

“The atrocities by the central forces are unprecedented. What is happening is not at all free and fair polls,” she said.

The TMC supremo alleged that central forces, instead of performing their constitutional duty, were being used for partisan political purposes.

“Central forces are supposed to guard the country’s borders, but instead they are working for a particular party,” she said, without naming the BJP.

Banerjee also accused the forces of harassing voters and TMC workers across several constituencies.

“The central forces are torturing common people. It is like brutalising the democracy. Is this an example of free and fair polls?” she asked.

Banerjee claimed that TMC workers were being targeted.

“They have assaulted so many of our cadres and have forced our polling agents to leave the booths,” Banerjee alleged.

READ MORE: RJ Saima's Purani Jeans revived love of golden era music among youth

The chief minister had, earlier in the day, visited several polling booths in the Bhabanipur constituency, including those in Chetla, Padmapukur and Chakraberia area, after receiving complaints from local TMC leaders over alleged intimidation and irregularities.

Polling for the second and final phase of the assembly elections was underway in 142 constituencies across south Bengal, including Kolkata, Howrah, Hooghly, Nadia, North and South 24 Parganas, and Purba Bardhaman.