BJP candidate booked for ‘assaulting’ rival

Braving scorching sun, an estimated 55 per cent of 2.94 crore voters cast their ballot in the first phase of Lok Sabha polls to 24 constituencies in Maharashtra even as a BJP candidate from Chandrapur was booked for assault in a poll-related offence in the state.

Chandrapur BJP nominee Hansraj Ahir was booked for allegedly assaulting a Congress worker during a minor scuffle between Congress and BJP activists. However, according to Bhargava, ‘‘There were no reports of any violence, booth-capturing and impersonation and the polling was by and large peaceful.’’

Late last night, however, Naxalite-infested Gadchiroli witnessed five incidents of Naxals opening fire at four polling booths and a police patrol vehicle, state Chief Electoral Officer R.K. Bhargava said.