Suvendu Adhikari accuses 'Mamata Police' of house arresting BJP leader before Medinipur by-election

The by-election in Medinipur, one of six constituencies across West Bengal holding elections, has become the center of a political controversy. Suvendu Adhikari, Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, made explosive allegations about the actions of Mamata Banerjee’s government. Adhikari claimed that BJP leader Nayan De, an influential figure in the Medinipur district, was placed under house arrest by the police on the night before the election, preventing him from stepping outside his home.

According to Adhikari, Nayan De’s house was being continuously monitored by the police, effectively restricting his freedom and movement ahead of the by-election. The Opposition leader argued that such actions were aimed at interfering with the electoral process and tilting the election in favor of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC). He further alleged that this was part of a larger strategy to intimidate BJP workers and limit their participation in the electoral process in Medinipur, which is considered a stronghold of BJP in the region.

In response to these allegations, Suvendu Adhikari filed a petition in the Calcutta High Court seeking intervention in the matter. The petition was filed to address what Adhikari described as an unlawful restriction on De’s movement, violating the rights of an elected representative. The hearing for the case is scheduled for later in the day, at 4 PM. Meanwhile, BJP leaders also raised the issue with the Election Commission, filing an official complaint regarding the alleged house arrest and the police actions in Medinipur. Despite the seriousness of the claims, the Election Commission dismissed the complaint, stating that there was no evidence to support Adhikari’s allegations.

A police report, submitted to the Election Commission, contradicted Adhikari’s claims. The report confirmed that there was no police deployment outside Nayan De’s residence. Both the sector officer in charge of the area and the Quick Response Team (QRT) responsible for monitoring security in the constituency reported that De’s house had not been placed under surveillance. The police insisted that standard security measures were being followed in the region, with no special restrictions placed on De’s movements.

Following the dismissal of the complaint by the Election Commission, Suvendu Adhikari reiterated his accusations and maintained that the police actions were part of a larger effort to suppress opposition participation and influence the outcome of the election. Adhikari has continued to accuse the Mamata government of using state machinery to tilt the electoral process in favor of TMC, citing these alleged restrictions as an example of how the ruling party is undermining the democratic process. The situation remains tense in Medinipur as the legal proceedings continue.

Mamata Police are adopting desperate measures to influence the Voting process to extend an upper hand to the TMC Party.
Nayan Dey; an important BJP Karyakarta of Chandra GP; Midnapore Sadar Block, is not being allowed to step outside of his house.
His house is being constantly… pic.twitter.com/p8v7kisUPc

— Suvendu Adhikari (@SuvenduWB) November 13, 2024