Opposition protests over ‘vote loot’ in West Bengal bypolls
Parties demand fresh polling in Nandigram, Rejinagar
Kolkata:Opposition parties in BJP-ruled West Bengal have alleged widespread electoral malpractices, voter intimidation and police bias during bypolls to the Nandigram and Rejinagar Assembly constituencies, describing the exercise as a “farce” and “vote loot” and demanding fresh polling in both seats.
Voting for the two high-stakes by-elections was held on October 6, with officials figures putting turnout at around 79 per cent — 79.39 per cent in Nandigram and 78.42 per cent in Rejinagar by 5 pm. Counting is scheduled for October 9.
In Rejinagar, senior Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury alleged large-scale malpractice and said that police personnel were involved in casting bogus votes.” He described an atmosphere of “silent terror,” saying no bombs or gunshots were fired but “the police carried out terror without any hindrance and cast false votes.” He further said that voters were selectively allowed or prevented from entering booths based on religion.
West Bengal Congress president Subhankar Sarkar said party agents were forcibly evicted from more than 100 booths and later from almost all booths in Rejinagar. Congress candidate Mohammad Abdullahil Kafi staged a sit-in outside the Rejinagar police station demanding cancellation of the poll, while Sarkar called for a complete re-poll in both constituencies.
Trinamool-backed candidate Rabiul Alam Chowdhury said that polling agents of his party and other opposition groups were barred from booths. He said the police administration and BJP government facilitated “vote loot,” adding agents were driven out of over 200 booths. He also said voting began before the scheduled time at several places.
Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) candidate Golam Nabi Azad said, “A farce has been made in the name of voting”, and that the people’s right to vote had been denied.
Similar allegations were reported from Nandigram, where Congress candidate Milan Pradhan said that BJP supporters obstructed voters and interfered with polling. Trinamool leader Shobhandeb Chattopadhyay said a large number of people were turned away, while some had indelible ink applied without being allowed to vote.
Left Front leaders said booths were captured in areas of Rejinagar such as Dadpur, Shyamsundari Chowk and Maradighi, and reported the detention of polling agents. CPI(M) nominee Mohammed Sayeed protested the detention of one of his agents.
Opposition parties collectively demanded cancellation of the polling and fresh elections, saying that voters were intimidated, opposition agents were prevented from performing their duties and police personnel acted in favour of the BJP.
The Nandigram seat fell vacant after Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari retained Bhabanipur, while Rejinagar became vacant after AJUP chief Humayun Kabir retained Naoda. Both seats witnessed multi-cornered contests involving the BJP, Congress, rival Trinamool factions, AJUP and the Left.
