Congress West Bengal chief Subhankar Sarkar alleges bypolls not held in fair manner

Nov 14, 2024

Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], November 14 : In the aftermath of bypolls in West Bengal, Subhankar Sarkar, Congress state president expressed his disappointment stating that free and fair elections were not conducted. He said that he wanted to request the Election Commission, that such elections should not happen.
Sarkar said, "In Bengal, whichever election it is, I don't see the chance of a free and fair election. When free and fair election won't happen, we know what would be the results. We hope that people will think about it. Ever since election dates were announced till today, the ruling party has been causing obstruction during publicity, meeting, and taking out processions. I want to request the Election Commission, such elections should not happen."
He further said that the EC should see that whenever an election is being conducted in any area and people are standing in the queue for voting then it is seen that whatever the ruling party is doing is a threat to democracy.
Earlier Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Dilip Kumar Roy on Wednesday alleged that the "TMC goons" are threatening the BJP supporters to not to cast their vote.
He alleged that several polling booths in the Sitai Assembly constituency are empty, because "voters are scared."
"Since last night, TMC goons are roaming around Sitai constituency to intimidate common voters... They are threatening our supporters not to vote. Today I see many polling booths are empty because voters are scared...TMC and local administration are one...Police are helping the Trinamool party," Roy told ANI.
BJP leader Amit Malviya on Wednesday alleged that party candidate from Madarahit by-poll seat, Rahul Lohar's vehicle was vandalised by Trinamool Congress "goons" which, he said, was also attacked with "life-threatening weapons."
In a post on X, Malviya said, "Rahul Lohar, BJP candidate from Madarihat, attacked at Booth No. 14/62 of the Mujnai Tea Garden. Rahul is a Tribal and leader of tea garden workers. TMC goons vandalized the BJP candidate's vehicle with sharp objects and attacked him with life-threatening weapons under the watchful eyes of Mamata Banerjee's police."
"Democracy and citizen rights are a sham in West Bengal. Mamata Banerjee is less of a Chief Minister, more like ring leader of a criminal syndicate," he said.
The by-elections for six Assembly seats in West Bengal, Taldangra, Sitai, Madarihat, Naihati, Medinipur, and Haroa assembly constituencies were held on November 13, with results scheduled to be declared on November 23. Expect Madarihat; all other seats were won by TMC in the 2021 assembly elections.