Humayun Kabir's Arrest and Election Commission Controversy: Shamik Bhattacharya Speaks Out
IIE DIGITAL DESK ; Bagdogra, October 6: West Bengal BJP state president Shamik Bhattacharya on Tuesday commented on several issues, including the arrest of Aam Janata Unnayan Party chief and MLA Humayun Kabir, the ongoing controversy surrounding the Election Commission of India and the upcoming Assembly by-elections. Speaking to reporters in Bagdogra on Tuesday morning, Bhattacharya defended the police action against Kabir and said that maintaining peace and order during polling was the responsibility of the administration.
Reacting to Humayun Kabir's arrest, Shamik Bhattacharya said the police had taken the decision to act against those who were allegedly engaging in divisive politics and attempting to create differences between Hindus and Muslims. According to him, anyone trying to provoke people and create an atmosphere that could lead to communal tension should be dealt with by the police, even if the action takes place on polling day.
“The police have decided that those who are openly involved in divisive politics, trying to create differences between Hindus and Muslims and provoking people to create riots should be arrested, even on the day of the election. That is the duty of the police,” Bhattacharya said.
His remarks came against the backdrop of the arrest of Humayun Kabir during polling for the Rejinagar Assembly constituency. Kabir, who heads the Aam Janata Unnayan Party, had been at the centre of controversy over his comments and activities during the polling process. His arrest has triggered a fresh political debate in the state, with the opposition questioning the police action while the BJP has defended it on the grounds of maintaining law and order.
Bhattacharya also spoke at length about the ongoing controversy surrounding the Election Commission of India. Referring to the legal proceedings and the role of the judiciary, he said that judges were carrying out their responsibilities and that it would not be appropriate to comment on matters that were currently before the courts.
“The judges are doing their work. When the process is going on in court, what can be said while standing in North Bengal is that the people of West Bengal are extremely happy because they have not witnessed such an election in the last 70 years,” Bhattacharya said.
He claimed that the recent electoral process had taken place without violence or bloodshed before, during or after polling and argued that voters had been able to exercise their franchise freely and peacefully.
“There has been no violence or bloodshed before the election, during the election or after the election. People have been able to vote very freely and happily,” he said.
Bhattacharya further praised Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, crediting him with overseeing what he described as a peaceful electoral process in West Bengal. He said Kumar was being viewed as a “hero” in the state because of the manner in which the election process had been conducted.
“Gyanesh Kumar has completed this process and in West Bengal he is being given the status of a hero,” the BJP state president said.
The Election Commission has been at the centre of a political controversy in recent days, with opposition parties raising questions over the functioning of the poll panel and its decisions. The BJP, however, has strongly defended the commission and its handling of the election process.
The focus has also shifted to the results of the by-elections in the Rejinagar and Nandigram Assembly constituencies. Both seats have witnessed intense political campaigning, with the BJP, Trinamool Congress and other political forces seeking to consolidate their support among voters.
Asked about the BJP's prospects in the two constituencies, Shamik Bhattacharya expressed confidence that the party's candidates would emerge victorious in both seats.
“Be assured, BJP candidates will win both these by-elections,” he said.
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