The BJP has demanded that the Election Commission postpone the polling for bypolls in Bhabanipur, following high tension on the last day of the Bhabanipur by-election campaign in the Jadubabur market area. Tension flared up repeatedly again and again at former state BJP president Dilip Ghosh’s meeting in Bhabanipur, with one BJP worker allegedly beaten up and several people were injured, allegedly by some Trinamool Congress (TMC) supporters. Dilip Ghosh and Arjun Singh had to leave the scene due to police security.
A BJP delegation met Election Commission officials in Kolkata and appealed for Section 144 to be imposed in Bhabanipur constituency on the day of bypoll, which is September 30. The BJP delegation was led by Swapan Dasgupta and also included Sishir Bajoria and Pratap Banerjee. The BJP delegation also demanded that central forces be present inside the booths and that Kolkata Police should not take active participation in the security arrangements in Bhabanipur.
Recently, the BJP also wrote to the Election Commission alleging that their Bhabanipur candidate Priyanka Tibrewal was “assaulted and molested” by DCP South of Kolkata Police on 23 September.
The letter submitted to the EC mentioned: “Molestation and physical assault of our candidate Smt Priyanka Tebrewal and MPs Dr Sukanta Majumdar state President, Shri Jyotirmoy Singh Mahato, and Shri Arjun Singh. This is to bring to your urgent attention, for necessary action and intervention, that there has been a blatant violation to stop a free and fair election and with the intention of creating unrest during the election.”
The party demanded that the DCP South, Akash Magharia, and other Kolkata Police officers present at the spot, be identified and removed immediately from election duty. They also demanded suspension of the officers.
When the meeting started on Monday, a sudden commotion allegedly started. Dilip Ghosh was not allowed to hold the meeting by allegedly some TMC supporters who spread tension. Ghosh had apparently appeared in front of a vaccination center with some people. All hell seemed to break loose after that. Dilip Babu was accused of warning the security guards. BJP activists were been allegedly attacked on the streets. Dilip Ghosh said that peaceful voting in the Bhabanipur by-election is not possible. In the afternoon, he demanded that polling in Bhabanipur be postponed, and the BJP has also demanded this in the Election Commission.
Amit Malviya, head of the BJP’s IT cell, wrote on Twitter, “The BJP’s massive campaign in Bhabanipur has upset the Trinamool. Trying to keep our leaders from preaching…but how many people can they stop? BJP leaders are scattered in every corner of the constituency. Above all, there is public support.”
Speaking on the occasion, BJP state president Sukant Majumder said, “When Dilip Babu went on campaign, the TMC got scared.” He alleged that attempts are being made to prevent people from voting out of fear. “Afghanistan is in a better position than that. The police have become slaves. The police should have filed a case on their own. Dilip Babu is old enough. He has been pushed. Such an attack on him! I am leaving for Delhi today. I will tell the Central leadership about all this. I urge people to end this subculture.”
Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly Subhendu Adhikari said: “Candidates are being obstructed at all levels. The way candidates and campaigners are being attacked again and again is proof that the TMC and its owner here, are scared.”
Meanwhile, on behalf of the Trinamool Congress, Firhad Hakim dismissed the BJP’s allegations and claimed that people do not accept divisive comments; that is why this has happened due to the spontaneous obstruction of the common people.
WITH AGENCY INPUTS