Bhubaneswar, April 23 -- The first phase of voting in West Bengal was marred by widespread violence across several districts, with allegations of intimidation, clashes, and attacks reported from areas including Kumarganj, Murshidabad, Asansol, and Labhpur.

Reports alleged involvement of workers from the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) in incidents of hooliganism. In several cases, BJP candidates were reportedly chased, assaulted, and their vehicles vandalised. Clashes between AJUP and TMC workers also took place outside polling booths, adding to the tense atmosphere.

In South Dinajpur's Kumarganj, a BJP candidate, Subhendu Sarkar, was allegedly surrounded and attacked by TMC workers when he visited a polling booth following complaints o...