News Mania Desk/ Agnibeena Ghosh/22nd June 2024
Ajay Kumar Poddar, the BJP legislator from Kulti in West Midnapore district, spearheaded a sit-in demonstration along with his supporters on June 16, blocking the GT Road. The protest was prompted by allegations that the Trinamool Congress (TMC)-run Asansol Municipal Corporation had reduced drinking water supply after the BJP gained ground in the recent Lok Sabha polls.
Poddar voiced concerns over a perceived worsening of the water crisis in Asansol since the Lok Sabha election results were announced. He claimed that water supply durations had been significantly cut, with fewer tankers servicing the area and garbage collection neglected in certain wards.
In response to these allegations, Asansol Mayor Bidhan Upadhyay dismissed them as baseless and accused the BJP of attempting to maintain relevance amidst declining popularity. He attributed temporary service disruptions to power outages rather than deliberate political interference.
This incident is part of a broader pattern where areas supporting the BJP in recent elections have reported similar disruptions. Following BJP victories, accusations surfaced that TMC-led municipalities deliberately curtailed essential services such as water supply and street lighting. This included allegations from Gangarampur in Balurghat Lok Sabha constituency, where BJP’s Sukanta Majumdar emerged victorious.
Samik Bhattacharya, a state BJP spokesperson, condemned these actions as targeted efforts to stifle development and intimidate voters who supported the BJP. He alleged instances where ration supplies were withheld, auto-rickshaw operations restricted, and shops vandalized in areas not aligned with the ruling TMC.
Despite the BJP’s efforts, the party’s electoral fortunes in West Bengal have fluctuated, with its seat count dropping from 18 in 2019 to 12 in the recent Lok Sabha polls. Meanwhile, the TMC has strengthened its position, increasing its tally from 22 seats in 2019 to 29 this year.
Political commentator Biswanath Chakraborty highlighted ongoing tensions and reported incidents of violence and intimidation aimed at influencing voters. He cited instances where basic services like water and electricity were allegedly manipulated to coerce voters into aligning with the TMC.
In response to these allegations, TMC MP Santanu Sen defended Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s governance, asserting that development initiatives continued impartially across all regions, irrespective of electoral outcomes. Sen criticized the BJP’s claims as unfounded and suggested they were part of a concerted effort to tarnish Bengal’s image.
With tensions still simmering post-election, opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari has petitioned Governor CV Ananda Bose to deploy Central Armed Police Forces until Durga Puja in October. This move follows continued reports of violence and intimidation tactics across various districts in West Bengal.
As the political landscape remains charged, both parties are likely to intensify their rhetoric and actions, seeking to sway public opinion amidst ongoing disputes over governance and electoral practices.
