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Suvendu Calls Bypolls Muslim Voter Test, Opposition Alleges Intimidation
Suvendu Adhikari asked Muslim voters to show whether they supported his government in two bypolls.
He said October 6 would be a test for voters in Nandigram and Rejinagar.
He also connected cooperation with the government to receiving benefits.
Opposition parties said this sounded like a threat.
They accused him of trying to frighten Muslims into voting for the BJP.
Muslim voters make up a large part of the electorate in both constituencies.
The BJP selected Hasirani Rath and Sakharov Sarkar as its candidates.
The election will show how voters in the two areas respond to the competing appeals.
Chief minister Suvendu Adhikari called the October 6 bypolls in Nandigram and Rejinagar a test for Muslim voters.
He asked minorities to decide whether they wanted to support his government and receive its benefits.
Opposition parties accused him of intimidating Muslim voters and linking welfare access to political allegiance.
Muslims account for about 65% of voters in Rejinagar and 26% in Nandigram.
The BJP named Hasirani Rath for Nandigram and Sakharov Sarkar for Rejinagar.
- Who
- Chief minister Suvendu Adhikari, the BJP, opposition parties, and Muslim voters in Nandigram and Rejinagar.
- What
- Adhikari described the October 6 bypolls as a test of Muslim voters' support, prompting accusations of intimidation.
- Where
- The constituencies of Nandigram and Rejinagar; Adhikari made the remarks at a BJP gathering in Haldia.
- When
- The bypolls are scheduled for October 6; the remarks were made on Tuesday.
- Why
- Adhikari was seeking minority support for BJP candidates, while opposition parties said he was pressuring voters by linking support to government benefits.
Adhikari and BJP Position
Opposition Criticism
Meaning of the election
Adhikari and BJP Position
Adhikari presented the bypolls as an opportunity for Muslim voters to demonstrate whether they wanted to stay with and cooperate with his government.
Opposition Criticism
The Trinamool Congress, the CPM, and the Aam Janata Unnayan Party said an election should test political parties, not voters.
Welfare benefits
Adhikari and BJP Position
Adhikari said cooperation with the government would allow voters to receive its benefits.
Opposition Criticism
Opposition leaders interpreted the remarks as linking welfare access to support for the BJP and intimidating Muslim voters.
BJP prospects
Adhikari and BJP Position
Adhikari predicted that the BJP's winning margin in Nandigram would be larger than expected, even while acknowledging the importance of minority voters.
Opposition Criticism
Opposition leaders said Muslim voters understood his intentions and would respond against the BJP in the bypoll.
Key facts
- Bypoll date
- October 6
- Constituencies
- Nandigram and Rejinagar
- Muslim electorate
- About 65% in Rejinagar and about 26% in Nandigram
- Nandigram BJP result
- The BJP won 50.56% of the vote share in the earlier Assembly election
- Rejinagar BJP result
- The BJP finished second with 27.02% of the vote share
- BJP candidates
- Hasirani Rath in Nandigram and Sakharov Sarkar in Rejinagar
- Earlier Nandigram margin
- Suvendu Adhikari won by 9,665 votes against Pabitra Kar
Quotes
Suvendu Adhikari
Chief minister and BJP leader speaking at a party gathering in Haldia
“If you want to stay with the government, with the chief minister, if you want to cooperate, work and also get the benefits, then October 6 is the day of the test for you in Rejinagar and Nandigram”
telegraphindia.com
“After becoming the chief minister, Suvendu Adhikari has become politically arrogant and also turned into a communal person.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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