KOLKATA: In a significant embarrassment for the ruling Trinamool Congress ahead of the second phase of polls, the party’s candidate from Sagardighi in Murshidabad district has predicted his own defeat, along with that of several other party nominees, citing alleged irregularities in EVM strongroom security.
At a time when Trinamool Congress leadership, including party supremo and outgoing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, has been claiming that they have already reached the doorstep of victory after the first phase elections held in 152 assembly constituencies across 16 districts in West Bengal on 23 April, Bayron Biswas, who has been fielded from the Sagardighi seat, predicted his and some party candidates’ defeats.
Bayron’s predictions regarding the possible defeats of four candidates nominated by the ruling party from Jangipur, Samserganj, Farakka and Sagardighi in Murshidabad district have triggered a row within the party.
“I will be defeated in Sagardighi. Jakir and Noor Alam will also be defeated from Jangipur and Samserganj assembly seats. Our candidate in Farakka will also be defeated. I can’t say about the entire state,” Bayron said.
Bayron, the outgoing Trinamool Congress MLA of Sagardighi, rushed to the Jangipur Polytechnic College strongroom, where EVMs have been kept under heavy deployment of Central Armed Paramilitary Forces (CAPF), on Friday midnight and expressed his grievances, alleging non-functioning of CCTVs and cameras installed inside and outside.
He also alleged that the power supply was disrupted at the strongroom premises for long hours.
He strongly protested against the prevailing situation at the strongroom and alleged that it was a pre-planned conspiracy to ensure the defeat of Trinamool Congress candidates.
The Trinamool Congress candidate from Sagardighi also threatened CAPF personnel on the spot, using slang words against them.
“Come here, I say. Your jobs will no more be protected and you can no longer stay in Bengal. You have to leave for Delhi to stay there. Have you been sold to them,” Bayron was heard threatening from outside the iron gate locked from inside the college premises.
A video of the incident went viral on social media throughout Saturday. TNIE has not verified the authenticity of the video.
In a separate development following the first phase of elections, the ruling Trinamool Congress, CPI-M and Congress came together on a common issue.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the Election Commission of India (ECI)-monitored security arrangements at the strongroom of Domkal Girls’ College in Murshidabad district, the three parties jointly took the initiative to install CCTVs on the college campus for round-the-clock vigilance of the strongroom where EVMs from Domkal, Jalangi and Raninagar assembly seats have been kept under heavy deployment of CAPF and state police.
The counting of votes for all 294 seats in the state will be held on 4 May, while the second and final phase of polling in the remaining 142 constituencies is scheduled for 29 April.