Is the Bypoll in Bengal's Kaliganj Seat a True Test for CM Mamata Banerjee?
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Synopsis
As West Bengal prepares for the Kaliganj bypoll on June 19, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee faces significant challenges. This election comes amidst controversies surrounding job losses and employee dues. Will the ruling Trinamool Congress hold its ground, or will the opposition BJP seize this opportunity? Explore the upcoming political battle in Bengal.
Key Takeaways
- The Kaliganj bypoll is set for June 19, with counting on June 23.
- Previous legislator Nasiruddin Ahmed's death prompted the need for bypolls.
- Mamata Banerjee's government is facing scrutiny over job losses and pending dues.
- The BJP aims to capitalize on public discontent during this election.
- Voter registration has decreased by over 2,000 since the last elections.
Kolkata, May 25 (NationPress) The Kaliganj Assembly constituency, located in the Nadia district of West Bengal, is one of five Assembly constituencies preparing for bypolls on June 19.
The counting will take place on June 23. The other constituencies involved in the bypolls include Kadi and Visavdar in Gujarat, Ludhiana-West in Punjab, and Nilambur in Kerala.
Nominations must be submitted by June 2, with scrutiny of these nominations scheduled for June 3. Candidates can withdraw their nominations until June 5.
The need for bypolls in Kaliganj arose after the unexpected passing of its previous Trinamool Congress legislator, Nasiruddin Ahmed, in February at the age of 70.
Since then, the legislative seat has remained unfilled. Ahmed first won the Kaliganj seat in the 2011 West Bengal elections, which ended the 34-year rule of the Left Front and initiated the tenure of Mamata Banerjee and the Trinamool Congress.
However, he faced defeat against Congress' Hasanazzamn Sheikh in the 2016 elections. After a five-year hiatus from power, Ahmed reclaimed his seat in the 2021 Assembly elections.
Before 2011, Kaliganj had seen frequent shifts in electoral outcomes since the inception of the Left Front regime in 1977, primarily contested between the Left Front ally Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) and the Indian National Congress.
In the 2021 elections, Ahmed secured victory from Kaliganj, defeating BJP's Abhijit Ghosh with a margin of 46,987 votes. Congress' Abdul Kasem followed in third place, garnering only 25,076 votes.
This bypoll is viewed as a critical challenge for the ruling Trinamool Congress and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee amid several controversies, including the loss of 25,753 teaching and non-teaching jobs in state-run schools and unresolved dearness allowance payments for state employees.
Simultaneously, this bypoll presents a significant challenge for the opposition BJP, as it will be interesting to see if they can leverage public discontent over these issues.
Earlier this month, on May 9, the final electoral list for Kaliganj was released, revealing a decrease of over 2,000 voters compared to the 2021 Assembly elections. This list was compiled following a special summary revision by the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of West Bengal.
According to this final list, the total number of voters in Kaliganj is now 2,52,670.
Point of View
The Kaliganj bypoll serves as a critical barometer for the political climate in West Bengal. With the ruling party facing mounting controversies, the results could indicate shifting voter sentiments. The outcome will be significant not just for local politics but for the broader implications it holds for the balance of power in the state. NationPress remains committed to providing unbiased, thorough coverage of this unfolding story.
NationPress
08/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the bypoll for Kaliganj scheduled?
The bypoll for the Kaliganj Assembly constituency is scheduled for June 19.
Why is the bypoll taking place?
The bypoll is necessitated due to the sudden passing of the previous legislator, Nasiruddin Ahmed, in February.
What are the key issues facing Mamata Banerjee?
Mamata Banerjee faces controversies related to job losses in state-run schools and pending dearness allowance payments for state employees.
How many voters are registered in Kaliganj?
The final electoral list shows a total of 2,52,670 registered voters in Kaliganj.
What was the outcome of the last Assembly elections in Kaliganj?
In the 2021 Assembly elections, Nasiruddin Ahmed won the seat, defeating BJP's Abhijit Ghosh by a margin of 46,987 votes.
