Sporadic clashes in Bengal and Tripura today marred the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections, in which 66 per cent polling took place. In both places, candidates came under attack and voters clashed with the police, alleging that they were not allowed to vote. Polling was peaceful in Tamil Nadu, where election in one of the 39 Lok Sabha seats was cancelled following cash-for-vote allegations. The election, held simultaneously with by-polls on 18 assembly seats that would decide the fate of the AIADMK government, was preceded by multiple raids involving huge amounts of cash. 95 Lok Sabha seats across 11 states and one in the Union Territory of Puducherry voted in this round, which featured four union ministers and former prime minister HD Deve Gowda. The counting of votes for the seven-phase election, will be held on May 23.
