Babul Supriyo alleges heckling, administration ups his security

Kolkata, May 7 (IANS) Additional security was provided to BJP candidate and Bollywood singer Babul Supriyo Wednesday after he was heckled and prevented from entering a polling booth, allegedly by Trinamool Congress activists.

Burdwan District Magistrate Saumitra Mohan also sought a report from the police about the incident involving the contestant from Asansol Lok Sabha constituency.

The incident happened near a booth in Mohishila Boys High School in Asansol when the Bollywod singer was accused by the Trinamool of trying to influence voters and prevented from entering the booth.

"The EC has authorized me to enter the polling premises, but I was forcibly prevented from entering the booth by Trinamool men who accused me of trying to influence voters which is entirely baseless," said Supriyo who complained about the incident to the district administration.

The singer also alleged "blatant rigging" and "intimidation of voters by the Trinamool".

Following the complaint, the district administration increased his security.

"Following a request from him, we have given him additional security personnel. Besides a magistrate, a police officer and a videographer will accompany him wherever he goes," Mohan said adding that he has sought a police report about the incident.

Pitted against Trinamool's trade union leader Dola Sen and Communist Party Of India-Marxist's incumbent MP Bansa Gopal Chaudhury, Supriyo's foray into politics hasn't been smooth.

After being accused of hurting religious sentiments by entering a temple in a "drunken" state, police complaints were initiated against him under several offences including the Arms Act and the National Highways Act.

While the administration dropped the charges regarding the alleged temple incident, Supriyo had to seek bail in the Highways Act case.

The singer had also filed a police complaint alleging he and some of his party workers were manhandled during a campaign by a local Trinamool leader.