By-elections were held on Tuesday in West Bengal’s Nandigram and Rejinagar assembly constituencies amid allegations of voter intimidation, removal of polling agents and electoral irregularities.
Opposition parties, including the Congress, Left and Trinamool Congress, accused the ruling BJP of interfering with the polling process and alleged that voters were prevented from reaching polling stations in several areas. The BJP has rejected the allegations, while the Election Commission said polling was largely peaceful. Nandigram recorded 79.39 per cent turnout and Rejinagar 78.42 per cent till 5 pm, according to the Election Commission.
Voters Allege Obstruction in Rejinagar
In Rejinagar’s Mirzapur area, several residents alleged that BJP supporters blocked roads and prevented voters from reaching polling stations.
“BJP people did not allow us to vote. They blocked the road and prevented us from going to the polling station,” some residents alleged.
Some voters further claimed that they were told at polling stations that their votes had already been cast and that indelible ink had been applied to their fingers.
Rahamtullah Ali, a voter, alleged, “I was able to vote last time, but I was not allowed to vote in this by-election. The ruling party BJP prevented us from exercising our democratic rights. We were stopped on the way to the polling station and chased away with threats. Even though we did not vote, ink was put on our hands. This happened in front of the administration, while the police stood by and watched.”
Another voter, Sadek Mandal, alleged that voters were stopped while trying to reach the polling station.
“We were stopped while going to vote and were not allowed to reach the polling station. When we returned home, we told them that there was a police presence in the area, but the police chased us away and threatened us. Is this democracy?” he said.
Opposition Alleges Selective Disruption
Opposition parties alleged that voting was selectively disrupted in parts of Rejinagar and claimed that polling agents were forcibly removed from booths.
Congress state president Subhankar Sarkar later alleged that party agents had been removed from more than 100 booths in Rejinagar and demanded fresh polling in the constituency. The Congress candidate Mohammad Abdullahil Kafi also staged a sit-in outside the local police station seeking cancellation of the polling.
Rehena Bibi, a voter, alleged, “If I cannot cast my own vote, then what is the point of this election? The BJP did not allow people to vote in order to help its candidate. They occupied booths and cast votes as they wanted.”
Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury alleged that an atmosphere of “terror” had been created in Rejinagar during polling.
Trinamool Congress leader Badal Mollah also alleged that police and central forces intimidated voters and claimed that several Trinamool polling agents were assaulted and removed from polling stations.
“A farce has been made in the name of voting. The BJP, which talks about democracy, killed democracy today. They have taken away the people’s right to vote,” AJUP candidate Golam Nabi Azad alleged.
Similar Allegations in Nandigram
Similar allegations emerged from Nandigram, where opposition parties accused BJP supporters of obstructing voters and interfering with the polling process.
Congress candidate Milan Pradhan alleged that his polling agents were prevented from entering booths and that voters were intimidated. He also alleged irregularities at several polling stations.
The Congress alleged that BJP supporters occupied booths under Boyal-II Gram Panchayat and claimed that irregularities were also reported from polling stations in the Gokulnagar area.
The party said it had lodged complaints with the Election Commission and sought action against those responsible.
The Election Commission had replaced the inspector-in-charge of Nandigram police station a day before polling after opposition parties raised complaints about the officer.
Congress Demands Fresh Polling
West Bengal Pradesh Congress president Subhankar Sarkar alleged widespread irregularities in both constituencies and accused the ruling BJP of “vote loot”.
“We demand that the elections in these two constituencies be cancelled and re-polling be conducted,” Sarkar said at a press conference.
The BJP rejected the allegations and maintained that polling was conducted fairly. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said polling in Nandigram was peaceful.
The Election Commission has not announced any cancellation of polling in either constituency. Counting of votes is scheduled for October 9.
