Kaliganj Bypoll Under Scanner: BJP Alleges 'Booth Jam, Rigging' Amidst Voting & Rain

 

Kaliganj Bypoll Under Scanner: BJP Alleges 'Booth Jam, Rigging' Amidst Voting & Rain in Contentious Battle

Published: June 19, 2025 | NewsWalaFeed Investigations

Kaliganj, Nadia: The crucial by-election for the #KaliganjBypoll constituency in West Bengal's Nadia district today concluded amidst a flurry of sharp accusations from the Bharatiya Janata Party (#BJP), alleging widespread "booth capturing" and "rigging" by the ruling Trinamool Congress (#TMC). The day's political drama unfolded under continuous heavy #Rain, which significantly impacted voter turnout, though election officials maintained a largely peaceful polling process.

As voting for the high-stakes Assembly seat came to a close, a voter turnout of 69.85% was recorded till 5 p.m., a figure that election officials expect to increase as final numbers are compiled. The by-election was necessitated by the demise of TMC MLA Nasiruddin Ahamed in February.

BJP Levels Serious Allegations

BJP candidate Ashish Ghosh was vocal with his grievances, claiming that his polling agents were deliberately barred from multiple booths. In a particularly unusual accusation, Ghosh alleged that election officials, under the "insistence" of TMC agents, intentionally marked his middle finger with indelible ink instead of the customary index finger after he returned to correct an initial oversight. "This was done in a pre-planned manner... This is nothing but a political conspiracy of the TMC," Ghosh asserted, publicly displaying his marked finger.

Ghosh further reiterated the BJP's broader accusations of "booth jam" and "rigging" being part of the Trinamool's "culture," and stated that he had informed the Election Commission about the alleged irregularities.

TMC Dismisses Claims as 'Organisational Weakness'

In response, TMC candidate Alifa Ahmed, daughter of the late MLA, vehemently denied the allegations. She urged the electorate to "vote for the right party" and dismissed the opposition's complaints as a reflection of their "lack of organisational strength in Kaliganj." Ahmed encouraged people to focus on "working for the people" instead of making unfounded accusations.

"It is an important day for me. Voting is the biggest right in the Constitution, and I feel proud to use that right," Ahmed told reporters after casting her vote, expressing confidence in the people of Kaliganj to stand by her side.

A Three-Way Fight Amidst Challenging Weather

The Kaliganj by-election saw a triangular contest. Besides TMC's Alifa Ahmed and BJP's Ashish Ghosh, Kabil Uddin Sheikh of the Congress was also in the fray, fighting with the support of the Left Front. The constituency has a total of 2,52,670 electors.

The polling day was significantly affected by #HeavyRain throughout the constituency. While election officials reported no major incidents of violence, the incessant downpour did pose challenges for voters, with many local residents citing difficulties in reaching polling booths due to lack of transport, including ferry services. Despite the adverse weather, election officials commended the voters for their participation.

To ensure free and fair polling, 14 companies of central forces were deployed across the constituency. All 194 polling stations were equipped with live webcasting facilities, and 235 CCTV cameras were installed inside the booths.

The results for the Kaliganj bypoll, along with other assembly by-elections held today across four states (Gujarat, Kerala, and Punjab), will be declared on June 23, 2025. The outcome will be keenly watched by all political parties as it could provide early indicators for the broader political landscape in West Bengal.

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