Sagardighi Assembly bypoll: 73% turnout, Trinamool says CRPF tried to influence voters

“Till 5 pm, 73.49 per cent polling was recorded. It was peaceful. Voting continued till 6 pm. The final figures will be available tomorrow,” Additional Chief Electoral Officer Bijit Kumar Dhar said. While 2.45 lakh voters in the constituency had to elect its new MLA from the nine candidates in the fray, the contest was largely three-cornered between the ruling TMC, Congress backed by the CPI(M), and BJP.

The by-election was necessitated following the death of TMC MLA Subrata Saha, who had been winning the seat for the ruling party since 2011. While the TMC has fielded Debashish Banerjee, a distant cousin of party supremo and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, to retain the seat, the BJP has fielded Dilip Saha and Congress local beedi trader Bayron Biswas, who is being backed by the CPI(M).

As long queues started forming outside the booths from the morning, the ruling TMC accused the CRPF of trying to influence the voters. “Sagardighi bypolll is a shining example of BJP’s undemocratic approach and their blatant misuse of power. Elections are won by catering to people, not by harassing them. Take a look at how the CRPF is trying to influence voters,” the TMC’s official Twitter handle tweeted and shared a video.

TMC candidate Debashish Banerjee also alleged that BJP gave food coupons to people coming out of the booths at Manigram panchayat. There were also complaints of harassment and lathicharge on women by CRPF personnel at booth number 78.

The BJP, however, accused the TMC of trying to create an issue out of a non-issue. “The CRPF has put up a strong vigil, and that’s the reason behind the TMC’s allegation and displeasure,” BJP state spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya said. The CEO’s office said they didn’t receive any complaints.

The Election Commission had deployed 30 companies of central forces in the area.

Earlier in the day, the presiding officer of booth number 53 at Sagardighi Danrail Primary School was removed after polling agents complained about a mock poll. There were also reports of tension in Hossainpur after Congress candidate Bayron Biswas reportedly entered booths.

BJP candidate Dilip Saha alleged that party agents were forced to withdraw at booth numbers 140 and 213.

State Congress chief Adhir Chowdhury said high voter turnout pointed to his party’s victory. “The way, the common people have voted, the Congress has increased the margin of victory,” Chowdhury, who has been camping in the constituency for the past few weeks, said.

The BJP also expressed happiness over the turnout number, saying they will benefit from it.

TMC candidate Debashis Banerjee said, “I will answer Adhir Chowdhury on March 2 when EVMs will reflect the Mamata Banerjee’s development tide.”

The counting of votes will take place on March 2.