Nandigram bypoll
Nandigram: The Nandigram bypoll on Tuesday recorded a turnout of 80.8% by 7pm, despite allegations that many voters were not allowed to vote. “In 2016, I won (from Nandigram) by my highest margin — 82,000 votes. Polling began early, with long queues seen in front of many booths across the constituency as early as 6 am. BJP candidate Hasirani Rath, who expressed confidence about victory at 10 am, started touring the constituency at 7.30 am after offering prayers at multiple temples in Reyapara.
most local functionaries of the former CM’s party, including Sheikh Sufian and Pabitra Kar, who lost to Adhikari in the assembly polls, were absent from Nandigram throughout the day Although Mamata Trinamool extended support to Congress.
The contrast also extended to post-poll comments by political rivals, with CM Suvendu Adhikari asserting “We will win”, while the opposition alleged “rigging” and demanded a repoll. People will once again repose faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the state govt,” said Adhikari, who vacated Nandigram in favour of Bhabanipur, necessitating the bypoll. People have high expectations of this five-month-old govt,” the CM said after casting his vote at Nandanayakbar Primary School in Nandigram II.
Of the two blocks in the East Midnapore assembly constituency, most of the complaints of voter intimidation came from the minority-dominated Nandigram I. I believe the record will be broken this time. “Go around the entire area and see for yourselves: on election day, the opposition has done none of what they should have — no booth camps, no polling agents, nothing… It seems people do not know them… She reached Nandanayakbar around noon, when CM Adhikari was casting his vote. Congress alleged that Ashrafula, the party’s Nandigram I president, was detained by police and kept away during the voting process. Ahead of the polls, Mamata Trinamool candidate Sanchita Dey Pradhan had withdrawn her nomination after meeting Adhikari.