- TMC demands BJP candidate Hasirani Rath's nomination cancellation.
- Allegations concern affidavit discrepancies on Class 10 passing year.
- Congress candidate Milan Pradhan arrested in 2007 murder case.
Nandigram bypoll has taken a new turn as Mamata's All India Trinamool Congress on Tuesday demanded the cancellation of the BJP candidate's nomination, citing alleged discrepancies in her affidavit.
In a post on X, the party's social media wing claimed that BJP candidate Hasirani Rath's affidavit mentions that she passed Class 10 in 1965. But the school she has mentioned in the affidavit got the Class 10 approval only in 1973.
The party asked for nomination cancellation for providing false information. According to her affidavit with the Election Commission, she passed Class 10 from Chowkhali Ganga Padma Milan Kanya Vidyapith (High School) in 1965.
The BJP has reacted to the allegations, asking Mamata's party to take the discrepancies to the poll body. BJP leader Sisir Bajoria said, "Let the ECI take the call." An official said that they had not received any complaint in the matter.
"We are yet to receive any complaint in this regard," the official said.
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Mamata's candidate snubs, Congress' arrested
The assembly bypolls in Nandigram and Rejinagar are scheduled to be held on October 6. Mamata faction had named Sanchita Pradhan Dey as its candidate in Nandigram.
However, she withdrew her nomination after a meeting with West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari. The Mamata All India Trinamool Congress then extended its support to Congress candidate Milan Pradhan.
Within hours of the political upheaval, another episode of Pradhan's arrest was unveiled. Pradhan was arrested in a 2007 murder case linked to the anti-land acquisition protests.
Who is the BJP candidate?
Rath is the mother of Suvendu's personal assistant, Chandranath Rath, who was murdered days after the BJP won the assembly elections this year. Apart from the BJP and Congress, the rival faction of TMC led by Ritabrata Banerjee and Arup Roy, named Democratic TMC, has pitted Mohammad Ehteshamul Haque.
The seat was won by CM Adhikari in the May elections, but he vacated the seat as he decided to hold Bhabaninagar, where he defeated Mamata Banerjee.