West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced a commitment to provide jobs to family members of those who lost their lives in the violence following the 2021 Assembly elections. Speaking at a campaign rally in the Falta Assembly constituency, which is scheduled for repolling, Adhikari emphasized the state government’s accountability toward victims and their families.
In addition to pledging jobs, Adhikari assured support for Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) activists who suffered during the post-poll violence. He instructed the local BJP candidate, Debangshu Panda, to submit a detailed list of victims from the Falta constituency who endured violence or intimidation at the hands of Trinamool Congress activists, the party that previously governed West Bengal. Adhikari vowed that assistance would be extended based on this list, underlining his personal commitment to stand by the affected party workers.
The violence after the 2021 elections reportedly claimed the lives of over 300 BJP workers across West Bengal, according to BJP sources. Falta’s political climate has been tense, especially after initial polling on April 29 was marred by allegations of electoral malpractice. Complaints arose that election officials had covered the BJP candidate’s selection buttons on electronic voting machines (EVMs) with white tape, prompting an investigation.
Subrata Gupta, a special poll observer and adviser to the Chief Minister, conducted a probe into these allegations, resulting in the Election Commission of India ordering a repolling for the entire Falta constituency. The repolling will take place on May 21, with results scheduled for May 24. Meanwhile, Jahangir Khan, the Trinamool Congress candidate from Falta, secured interim protection from the Calcutta High Court, safeguarding him from arrest or coercive police action until the electoral process concludes.