Bashirhat. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Suvendu Adhikari on Thursday urged women in Sandeshkhali as well as other areas of the Basirhat Lok Sabha constituency to blow conch shells to signal if they spot any suspicious activity ahead of the June 1 elections.
At an election rally in support of BJP candidate Rekha Patra, the officer feared that “Trinamool-controlled state police” and others may come to intimidate residents to vote in favour of the ruling party. He warned residents against accepting money from organisations linked to the Trinamool Congress and asked them to blow conches if they see strangers entering their neighbourhoods late at night.
The officer said, “If you (residents) see any suspicious activity at night, if you see policemen entering your area with strangers, but not central force personnel, then blow the conch according to the situation.” The officer also warned TMC officials not to violate the guidelines of the Election Commission and said that if they do so, they will have to face the same situation as jailed Trinamool Congress leader Shahjahan Sheikh.
He informed voters about the implementation of webcasting in all polling booths in Basirhat constituency and warned against tampering of cameras by “Trinamool Congress in connivance with a section of the local administration”. Adhikari, leader of opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, claimed that the BJP will also come to power in West Bengal after its “magnificent victory in the Lok Sabha elections”.
After this, Adhikari took part in a road show at Deshapriya Park in support of BJP candidate Debashree Chaudhary from Kolkata South Lok Sabha seat. At the same time, Trinamool Congress leader Kunal Ghosh rejected Adhikari’s claims and said that the elections are being held under the supervision of the Election Commission. He accused Adhikari of spreading lies about the administration and the state police. Ghosh said, “The BJP knows what will be the result of the election in Basirhat along with other seats in West Bengal. Their conspiracy of Sandeshkhali has backfired. Everyone knows that the elections are being held under the supervision of the Election Commission. Adhikari is spreading propaganda against the administration and the state police.”