‘You can’t vote for BJP’: TMC councillor threatens voter in Baharampur, arrested

Raju Mondal, a councillor of the Trinamool Congress in Baharampur, was arrested on Friday after a video surfaced showing him warning a voter against supporting the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the upcoming polls.

What did he say?

In the viral clip, Mondal, accompanied by party workers, is heard cautioning a resident against voting for the Opposition. He even suggested abstaining from voting in case of “chaos”.

“We will not allow votes to go in favour of the BJP. There is no point in voting if there is chaos. Instead, I will send sweets to your homes. You must vote for us, as we work for the people throughout the year.

“Not a single vote should be wasted—let me be absolutely clear on that. We will keep track of who votes for whom. There will be cameras, and the voting will be monitored live this time,” he was heard saying in the video.

BJP’s reaction

Reacting to the development, BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya welcomed the ECI’s action, calling it a sign of stricter enforcement ahead of the polls scheduled later this month.

In a post on X, he said: “His arrest sends a clear message: elections will be free and fair. Those attempting to intimidate voters will face swift action. The goons of the Trinamool Congress will be behind bars before they even realise what hit them.”

Why it matters

Mondal’s arrest is part of a series of actions taken by the poll panel since the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct, signalling a tougher stance to ensure free and fair elections in a state long marred by political violence.

The issue remains sensitive in West Bengal, especially after the violence that followed the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections, which drew national attention and legal scrutiny over alleged attacks on opposition workers.