Kolkata, October 6 (Udaipur Kiran): By-elections in West Bengal’s two high-profile and sensitive Assembly constituencies, Nandigram in East Midnapore and Rejinagar in Murshidabad, concluded on Tuesday amid tight security. According to preliminary Election Commission figures, voter turnout remained high, with 79.39% polling recorded in Nandigram and 78.42% in Rejinagar.

Despite heavy security arrangements, reports of political tension, clashes with police and allegations of irregularities by opposition parties emerged from both constituencies. The biggest incident was reported in Rejinagar, where Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) chief and Naoda MLA Humayun Kabir was arrested following a heated argument with police.

Humayun Kabir Arrested in Rejinagar

The situation in Rejinagar became tense during polling when Humayun Kabir had a heated exchange with police officials at his party office. Kabir accused the police of acting at the direction of Chief Minister Shubhendu Adhikari and alleged that voters were being intimidated.

He also allegedly appealed to people to resist police excesses with sticks.

Videos of the incident that went viral showed police personnel holding Kabir by his shirt and putting him into a vehicle. Murshidabad Superintendent of Police Sachin Makkar said Kabir was neither a candidate nor an authorised election agent and that his presence around polling stations violated election rules.

Kabir was accused of attempting to influence and provoke voters.

Congress Demands Re-Polling

Following the incident, Congress candidate Mohammad Abdullahit Qafi staged a protest outside Rejinagar police station. He accused the police of bias and demanded cancellation of the election and fresh polling.

The CPI(M) also alleged that its polling agents were prevented from entering booths numbered 112, 113, 114 and 122 in Dadpur in the Moradighi area. The party further alleged that voters were sent back after ink was applied to their fingers.

Tension Reported in Nandigram

Nandigram, the former constituency of Chief Minister Shubhendu Adhikari, also witnessed tension during polling.

Congress candidate Milan Pradhan alleged that his polling agents were prevented from entering booths with the alleged support of the police. He also claimed that police resorted to lathi-charge against voters in the Chakraberia area.

Arguments between Congress and BJP supporters were reported at several locations in Nandigram.

An alleged attack on a CPI polling agent was also reported in Sarberia. The agent was later admitted to a hospital.

The Congress complained to the Chief Electoral Officer, alleging that outsiders on motorcycles were entering Nandigram from the Khejuri side and intimidating voters. Police also detained the Congress president of Nandigram-1 block on allegations of disrupting polling.

Why Were the Two Seats Vacant?

The two constituencies fell vacant following the resignations of Chief Minister Shubhendu Adhikari and MLA Humayun Kabir.

Shubhendu Adhikari had won the Assembly elections from both Bhabanipur and Nandigram and subsequently vacated the Nandigram seat as per the rules.

Humayun Kabir had won from both Rejinagar and Naoda. He retained the Naoda seat and vacated Rejinagar.

Candidates in Nandigram and Rejinagar

In Nandigram, the BJP has fielded Hasirani Rath, mother of late Chief Minister Shubhendu Adhikari’s associate Chandranath Rath, making the contest emotionally significant.

After Trinamool Congress candidate Sanchita Pradhan Dey withdrew from the race, Mamata Banerjee extended support to Congress candidate Milan Pradhan.

The Rejinagar contest is multi-cornered, with candidates including Humayun Kabir’s son Golam Nabi Azad, BJP’s Sakharav Sarkar, TMC’s Rabiul Alam Chowdhury and Congress’s Mohammad Abdullah, among others.

Results to Be Declared on October 9

The results of the by-elections will be announced on October 9.

The Election Commission deployed 71 companies of central forces across the two Assembly constituencies to ensure peaceful polling.