Kolkata:
Results will be declared today in the crucial elections to six municipalities across West Bengal, the first poll since the Trinamool Congress ousted the Left in a landslide victory in the 2011 Assembly polls on the back of a huge anti-incumbency wave.
An 86 per cent voter turnout was recorded on Sunday in these polls. The 129 seats were spread over five districts - Jalpaiguri, East Midnapore, Haldia, Birbhum and Bardhaman. Cooper's Camp in Nadia district recorded the highest 93.28 per cent polling.
All 129 seats in the six civic bodies -- Durgapur, Dhupguri, Haldia, Nalhati, Daspur and Coopers' Camp -- witnessed three-way contests between the Congress, Trinamool Congress and CPI(M)-led Left Front. Alliance partners at the Centre, the Trinamool and the Congress, fought the civic elections in West Bengal independently.
Congress and opposition CPI(M) have alleged that the polls have been far from free and fair and accused Trinamool activists of resorting to booth-capturing and rigging.
"We are disappointed the way polls were held. Agents were physically assaulted and removed from booths by TMC workers. There were widespread irregularities. We have lodged a complaint with the state election commission," WBPCC President Pradip Bhattacharya said.
He alleged that the polls were marked by violence, booth- capturing, rigging and use of force against the Congress and the opposition political parties.
Left Front chairman Biman Bose also accused Trinamool workers of rigging and booth-capturing at Haldia, Durgapur and Dhupguri.