Assembly elections: Clash in Sirsa; 25 per cent turnout till 11 AM in Haryana

Chandigarh, Oct 15 (PTI) Over 25 per cent of the 1.63 crore eligible voters had exercised their franchise in Haryana till 11 AM today as polling was on at a brisk pace in the multi-cornered contest. Two persons were injured in firing during a clash between two groups in Sirsa, police said, adding they were investigating the incident. Amid tight security, polling commenced in all the 90 assembly seats at 7 AM and would continue till 6 PM to decide the fate of 1,351 candidates.

Counting of votes will take place on October 19. Election officials said that the polling was slow during the first two hours, but gradually picked up pace and over 25 per cent had cast their vote by 11 AM. Barring glitches in EVM machines at a couple of places in the State, the polling was going on smoothly.

However, BJP candidate from Narnaund assembly segment Abhimanyu alleged that attempts to capture booth were made in Baas village in the constituency at the behest of rival INLD, which vehemently denied the charge. Abhimanyu told reporters in Narnaund that wires of web-casting camera were cut in Booth No 140 and attempt was made to capture booth by the 'goondas'.

This is hyper sensitive booth, he said, "but the police administration is sitting like a mute spectator". A spokesman of the INLD said that Abhimanyu was levelling false allegations "out of sheer frustration sensing his imminent defeat". Two persons were injured in a firing incident in Haryana's Sirsa district. According to Sirsa SP Mitesh Jain, the incident occurred in Modia Khera village Asked if it is poll related clash, Jain said, "we are making investigations". Former Haryana Minister Gopal Kanda, is contesting from Sirsa. He now heads the Haryana Lokhit Party.

Polling was going on at a brisk pace at places including Ambala, Bhiwani, Fatehabad, Hisar and Yamunanagar while it was comparatively slow at places like Rewari, election officials said. Over 1.63 crore voters including over 87 lakh women are eligible to cast their vote in the polls with top guns including the kin of the three famous 'Lals' (Bansi Lal, Bhajan Lal and Devi Lal) battling it out in the state. The highest number of 116 women contestants is in fray this time.

PTI