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BJP Pivots to Development Pitch in Rejinagar Bypoll
Rejinagar is holding a by-election after its previous representative left the seat.
The BJP is trying to win support by talking about development and visiting Muslim voters.
Its candidate says people want things such as colleges, factories and a bridge.
The BJP also says this election should not be about Hindus and Muslims.
Another party’s candidate is Humayun Kabir’s son, but Kabir says they will not campaign in person because of pressure and police cases.
Other parties have also nominated candidates.
Some candidates accuse the BJP or police of unfair actions, while the BJP says it is offering development.
The election is a contest among several parties, and the article does not report its result.
The BJP is campaigning in Rejinagar with a development-focused message and direct outreach to Muslim voters.
BJP leaders say residents want projects including colleges, factories and a bridge, while arguing the contest should not be about religious division.
The bypoll follows Aam Janata Unnayan Party leader Humayun Kabir’s resignation from the seat; his son Gulam Nabi Azad is the party’s candidate.
Kabir says police cases and intimidation have kept him and his son from campaigning in person; authorities’ account is not given in the article.
The field also includes candidates from the Mamata TMC, Congress, CPI(M) and a breakaway TMC faction, all described as Muslim.
- Who
- The BJP, its candidate Shankharavh Sarkar, and rival candidates including Gulam Nabi Azad and Rabiul Alam Chowdhury.
- What
- A by-election in which the BJP is emphasizing development and courting Muslim voters.
- Where
- Rejinagar, West Bengal, India.
- When
- The bypoll is scheduled for October 6; the article does not specify the year.
- Why
- The seat became vacant after Humayun Kabir resigned from it while retaining another constituency he had won.
Critics and rival candidates
BJP and its candidate
Campaign message
Critics and rival candidates
Humayun Kabir says the BJP is trying to divide Muslim voters and consolidate Hindu support; Rabiul Alam Chowdhury accuses Kabir of communal politics and says the BJP government works for Hindus.
BJP and its candidate
BJP leaders describe the contest as one about development, not religious division, and say they are approaching Muslim voters.
Alleged pressure and election fairness
Critics and rival candidates
Kabir alleges cases, arrests, police questioning and harassment forced him and his son to avoid in-person campaigning. Chowdhury also alleges police are threatening voters.
BJP and its candidate
The article reports the allegations but provides no BJP or police response to them.
What the vote represents
Critics and rival candidates
Chowdhury says the bypoll gives minority voters a chance to raise issues and take a stand, even though it will not change the government.
BJP and its candidate
BJP candidate Sarkar says voters want development projects and that the BJP can deliver them.
Key facts
- Constituency
- Rejinagar, West Bengal
- Bypoll date
- October 6
- BJP candidate
- Shankharavh Sarkar
- AJUP candidate
- Gulam Nabi Azad, Humayun Kabir’s son
- Previous election result cited
- Humayun Kabir received 51.62%; the BJP candidate received 27.02%; the TMC candidate received 17.43%.
- Population
- The article describes nearly 70% of Rejinagar’s population as Muslim.
- BJP campaign themes
- Development, including colleges, factories and a bridge, alongside outreach to Muslim voters.
Quotes
Samik Bhattacharya
BJP Bengal president
“There is no Hindu-Muslim, no minority-majority. The people of Rejinagar, Hindus, Muslims, Christians, all have decided that they want colleges, factories, a bridge, and the only person who can give them is Suvendu Adhikari and the BJP government. It is an election for development, not communal divide.”
indianexpress.com
“This is not the time to do Babri Masjid-Ram Mandir. For the next 20 years, it will be our government both at the Centre and in the state. You will have to stay with us. You will have to choose.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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