Kolkata: The electoral polling scheduled to begin from today in West Bengal witnessed sporadic incidents of violence. The first phase of elections was being in 30 seats, most of which are in the once-Naxal-affected Jungle Mahal region, across five districts amid tight security.

 As polling began for the first phase of assembly elections in Assam, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Saturday urged the people to vote for progress and the golden future of the state. Among the key candidates in the first phase of polling are Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Speaker Hitendranath Goswami and Debrata Saikia, the leader of opposition in the state.

In the meanwhile, in West Bengal, Suvendu Adhikari and brother accused opposition alliances of influencing voters at booth number 149. BJP took a dig at TMC for its accusations on electoral malpractice of the oppositions. 

Rahul Gandhi urged the citizens to cast their ballot against ‘divisive forces’ to strengthen democracy as polling began for the first phase of the Assembly elections in West Bengal and Assam. West Bengal will vote in eight-phases while the exercise will be completed in Assam in three phases on March 27, April 1 and 6. Altogether 264 candidates, including 23 women, are in the race.