Kaliganj Bypoll: BJP accuses TMC of stopping its agent from entering poll booth

The crucial Kaliganj Assembly by-election in Nadia district, seen as a significant political rehearsal ahead of next year's state assembly elections, commenced today amidst a mix of controversy and surprisingly low voter turnout. Despite extensive security arrangements, the initial hours of polling were marked by heated arguments between a BJP candidate and a presiding officer, alongside allegations of partisan conduct.

A particularly contentious incident unfolded at Booth Number 56 in Chandghar Adarsh Vidyapith. A BJP polling agent alleged that he was not permitted to sit inside the booth, leading to a direct confrontation. The presiding officer, in response, claimed that the agent was denied entry due to the absence of voters at the booth. This explanation, however, failed to appease the BJP, whose candidate and election agents vehemently accused the presiding officer of bias, suggesting he was acting in favor of the ruling party. The BJP further asserted that there is no electoral rule mandating an agent to be a voter of that specific booth to be eligible to sit.

Adding to the BJP's concerns, their candidate for the Kaliganj by-election, Ashish Ghosh, expressed deep apprehension after casting his vote this morning. Ghosh stated, "I am terrified about this by-election. The ruling party will try to vote indiscriminately." He pledged to remain vigilant to ensure that citizens could cast their ballots correctly, also highlighting that their agents were not allowed to sit in "one or two places" besides the incident at Chandghar Adarsh Vidyapith.

Parallel to these incidents, Election Commission officials demonstrated their commitment to maintaining electoral integrity by swiftly removing all party flags and flag festoons erected within 100 meters of polling stations. This immediate action underscored the commission's efforts to ensure a fair and unobstructed voting environment, particularly as the by-election is shaping up to be a keenly contested three-way battle.

Despite the intense political undercurrents and robust security – including 14 companies of central forces alongside state police and CCTV surveillance at every booth – voter enthusiasm appeared subdued in the early hours. Polling, which began at 7 AM on Thursday, saw noticeably few voters at the booths. The recent spell of rain in the past few days might be a contributing factor, deterring people from leaving their homes. It remains to be seen whether the voting rate will pick up as the day progresses.

This by-election holds significant political weight, filling the seat left vacant after the demise of Trinamool MLA Nasiruddin Ahmed in February. The Trinamool Congress has fielded Alifa Ahmed, the late MLA's daughter, while the BJP has nominated Ashish Ghosh. The Left-backed Congress has put forward Kabiluddin Sheikh, setting the stage for a tight contest. Although the winning MLA's term will be relatively short, this by-election is unequivocally being utilized by all major political parties as a crucial litmus test and a tool to consolidate their respective power bases ahead of the pivotal 2026 assembly elections.