Kolkata, 10 June (H.S.) -Tensions are running high within the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in South 24 Parganas' Kakdwip as serious allegations have surfaced linking party members to Bangladeshi nationals. The controversy, originally ignited over a video message from a youth named Newton Das, has led to internal rifts and calls for investigation by central agencies.

Newton Das, alleged to have participated in anti-government protests in Bangladesh, claimed in a viral video that he became a registered voter in Kakdwip with the direct help of TMC MLA Monturam Pakhira. He stated that he first voted in 2016 and, after losing his voter ID, re-enrolled in 2018 with the legislator's assistance. The authenticity of the video remains unverified, but its content has stirred political unrest.

In a sharp rebuttal, Monturam Pakhira denied any association with Newton, calling the claims “fabricated stories.” He stated, “Why would someone come to me for a lost voter card? I do not know any of them.”

Adding fuel to the fire, local TMC panchayat member Biplab Das accused TMCP leader Debashis Das of having family ties to Bangladesh. Biplab alleged that Debashis’ wife, parents, and even Newton himself are Bangladeshi nationals. Notably, Debashis’ wife, Deepti Das, is the TMC panchayat head of Sri Sri Ramkrishna Gram Panchayat under Kakdwip constituency, a region that has seen an unusually high spike in voter registration in recent years.

The BJP has seized upon the situation, demanding a thorough probe into alleged voter list manipulation. BJP convener for Kakdwip, Abhijit Mandal, claimed that “Bangladeshi citizens have been added to the voter rolls in exchange for money,” and demanded an investigation by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

According to Mandal, “These infiltrators live under false identities and are linked to extremist groups in Bangladesh. This is not just about illegal voting; this is a national security concern.”

Further complicating the issue, Biplab Das alleged that Newton was arrested in 2021 while attempting to re-enter Bangladesh via the Bongaon border and was found in possession of both Bangladeshi and Indian documents. He claimed that Debashis Das frequently visited Newton during his three-month jail term and later partnered with him in a restaurant business. Newton allegedly absconded after taking ₹2.5 lakh from a business associate.

Debashis, however, dismissed all allegations as politically motivated. “There are over 300 TMC members in this constituency. If someone from somewhere makes a random accusation, I have nothing to say,” he responded. On the restaurant matter, he claimed it was run solely by him and another individual, not Newton.

Debashis also defended his wife's Indian citizenship. “My family and I were born here. My wife was born here. If people are now trying to link everyone to Bangladesh, it’s nothing but political vendetta,” he added.

Meanwhile, TMC’s Sundarbans district leadership has initiated an internal inquiry. District TMC chief Jaydeb Haldar confirmed that senior leadership is monitoring the situation closely. “All aspects are being looked into,” he stated.

Local residents, including Newton's elder brother Tapan Das, have admitted that Newton held voter IDs in both Bangladesh and India. “He came here during COVID. He had bought land in his name here. But how he became a voter in India, I don’t know,” Tapan said. Notably, Tapan himself became a voter in 2011.

Newton's earlier connections to Debashis reportedly date back to their school days, suggesting a long-standing relationship between the two.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh