1. Trinamool Congress MLA Hamidur Rehman’s remarks at a rally in North Dinajpur stirred controversy.
2. Rehman cautioned opposition supporters that they would lose protection if they didn’t vote for TMC.
3. He emphasized that central forces would withdraw from the district on April 26.
North Dinajpur, April 12: Amid the charged political climate ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal, Trinamool Congress MLA Hamidur Rehman sparked controversy with his remarks at an election rally in Chopra, North Dinajpur.
He warned supporters of opposition parties that once central forces withdrew from the district on April 26, they would lose protection if they didn’t vote for the TMC.
Rehman cautioned that the state police would take charge after the central forces left and urged opposition supporters not to waste their votes on BJP, Congress, and CPI(M) candidates.
His statements have raised concerns about voter intimidation and the fairness of elections in the region, as they imply potential reprisals against non-TMC voters.
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Additionally, Rehman challenged opposition parties to justify their development initiatives in the district, suggesting that without tangible achievements, voters should not support their candidates.
The upcoming Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal are crucial, with polling scheduled across seven phases starting from April 19.
The outcome could significantly impact the state’s political landscape and have broader implications for national politics.
In the 2014 elections, the TMC secured 34 seats, while the BJP won only two.
However, in 2019, the BJP made significant gains, securing 18 seats compared to TMC’s 22. The Congress’s influence dwindled to two seats, while the Left failed to secure any representation.
Rehman’s remarks have further heightened the already tense political atmosphere in West Bengal, highlighting the high stakes and challenges facing democratic processes in the state.
