Vote-Rigging Claims Hit Bengal Bypolls, Opposition Demands Repoll

Vote-Rigging Allegations During Bengal Bypolls

West Bengal's Assembly bypolls in Nandigram and Rejinagar were marked by allegations of irregularities as voting continued on Monday.

Opposition candidates and leaders alleged vote-rigging, booth capture and the removal of their polling agents during the polling process.

The allegations led to protests by Opposition candidates and demands for fresh polling in the affected constituencies.

The Congress specifically demanded repolling in both Nandigram and Rejinagar, raising concerns over the conduct of polling in the two seats.

Opposition Raises Allegations

Opposition candidates and leaders raised allegations of irregularities while polling was underway.

The complaints included claims of vote-rigging and booth capture. Opposition leaders also alleged that their polling agents had been removed from polling locations.

The allegations became a major point of contention during the bypolls, with Opposition candidates staging protests over the issues they raised.

The Congress subsequently sought repolling in both constituencies.

BJP Rejects Allegations

The Bharatiya Janata Party rejected the allegations made by the Opposition.

The BJP's response came amid the protests and calls for repolling in the two Bengal constituencies.

While Opposition leaders raised concerns over the polling process, the BJP dismissed the allegations.

This led to contrasting claims from the two sides regarding the conduct of the bypolls.

Suvendu Adhikari Says Nandigram Polling Was Peaceful

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said polling in Nandigram was peaceful.

His statement came as Opposition leaders were making allegations related to the polling process in the constituency.

While Opposition candidates raised claims of irregularities, Adhikari maintained that the polling in Nandigram had remained peaceful.

The differing claims highlighted the political dispute surrounding the bypoll process.

Nandigram and Rejinagar Seats

The bypolls were being held in two West Bengal Assembly constituencies — Nandigram and Rejinagar.

Both seats had fallen vacant for different reasons, necessitating fresh elections.

Polling in the two constituencies was therefore closely watched by political parties and candidates.

As voting continued, allegations from Opposition candidates and leaders added to the political tension surrounding the bypolls.

Congress Demands Repolling

The Congress called for repolling in both Nandigram and Rejinagar following the allegations raised during voting.

The demand was based on the Opposition's claims of vote-rigging, booth capture and the removal of polling agents.

Opposition candidates also staged protests over the alleged irregularities.

The BJP, however, rejected the allegations, creating a clear disagreement between the two sides over the conduct of polling.

Political Dispute Over Polling Process

The developments during the Bengal bypolls have resulted in competing claims from the ruling and Opposition sides.

Opposition leaders have alleged that the polling process was affected by irregularities and have sought repolling.

The BJP has rejected those allegations, while Suvendu Adhikari has described polling in Nandigram as peaceful.

With both Nandigram and Rejinagar having gone to the polls after their seats fell vacant, the allegations and subsequent demands for repolling have become a central issue surrounding the bypolls.

The dispute now centres on the competing claims about the polling process, with the Opposition demanding fresh polling and the BJP rejecting the accusations.