Daijiworld Media Network - Kolkata
Kolkata, May 19: The Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Tuesday clarified that Jahangir Khan’s decision to withdraw from the upcoming repoll in the Falta Assembly constituency was taken in his personal capacity and did not represent the party’s official position.
In a strongly worded statement, the TMC alleged that its workers and supporters in Falta had faced continuous political intimidation since the declaration of election results on May 4.
The party claimed that more than 100 of its workers had been arrested in the constituency over the past few weeks.
The TMC also accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of targeting its organisational network in the area. According to the party, several TMC offices were vandalised, forcibly occupied or shut down.
The party further alleged that despite repeated complaints, the Election Commission of India failed to take action, prompting accusations that the poll body remained indifferent to the situation.
“Even under immense pressure, our workers have remained steadfast and continue to resist the BJP’s intimidation through agencies and the administration,” the TMC statement said.
However, the party acknowledged that some individuals had eventually succumbed to pressure and withdrawn from the electoral contest.
Condemning Khan’s withdrawal, the TMC asserted that its political fight against what it termed the “Bangla Birodhi BJP” would continue both in West Bengal and at the national level in New Delhi.
The controversy has added a fresh political dimension to the Falta repoll battle, intensifying the war of words between the TMC and BJP ahead of the vote.
The Election Commission had on May 2 ordered repolling at all 285 polling stations, including auxiliary booths, in the Falta Assembly constituency after reports of widespread electoral malpractices and serious disruptions during polling held on April 29.
According to the poll panel, fresh voting will be conducted on May 21 between 7 am and 6 pm, while counting of votes is scheduled for May 24.