Kolkata, 06 October (H.S.) : The West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee on Tuesday leveled serious allegations of large-scale electoral malpractice, violence, and administrative complicity in the Nandigram and Rejinagar assembly by-elections, demanding that the Election Commission of India annul the polling process and conduct fresh elections across all booths in both constituencies.

Addressing a press conference in Kolkata, state Congress president Subhankar Sarkar alleged that polling was reduced to a farce as opposition agents were physically assaulted and driven out of polling booths, while voters faced systematic intimidation. Sarkar announced that the party is dispatching a formal communication to the Election Commission seeking a comprehensive cancellation of Tuesday's exercise and a repoll across every booth in both assembly segments.

Highlighting the situation in Rejinagar, where Congress workers staged a demonstration outside the local police station, Sarkar claimed that polling agents representing opposition parties, particularly the Congress, were beaten and forcibly evicted from nearly all stations, leaving only Bharatiya Janata Party agents inside. He alleged that local police leadership had facilitated booth capture plans since Monday night, despite advance alerts sent to poll authorities.

Sarkar leveled similar charges regarding the high-stakes Nandigram constituency, alleging that large groups of outsiders were ferried in on motorcycles and other vehicles from Chandipur, Contai, and Haldia on the eve of polling. He noted that the local Congress block president was detained at the police station during voting hours to clear the way for booth capture. Sarkar also claimed that unauthorized individuals wearing saffron clothes and headbands were stationed inside the polling booth where the Chief Minister cast his ballot.

Raising questions over the role of law enforcement, the state Congress chief contended that the election machinery was effectively hijacked by the police, with central poll observers failing to ensure a level playing field. Sarkar stated that despite lodging 24 formal complaints with the Election Commission detailing various irregularities, no corrective measures were initiated.

Additionally, Sarkar cited a purported audio recording indicating police personnel threatening Congress workers and voters in Nandigram. Expressing apprehension over the security of Electronic Voting Machines, he demanded fool-proof surveillance and protection of strongrooms to prevent post-poll tampering or machine substitution.

Questioning the impartiality of the poll panel's central leadership, Sarkar asserted that credible and transparent elections remain compromised under the current supervisory setup.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh