Will the Kaliganj By-Poll Become a Defining Moment for Major Political Candidates?
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Synopsis
The impending bypoll in West Bengal's Kaliganj Assembly constituency poses significant challenges for all major political parties, including Trinamool Congress, BJP, and the Left Front-supported Congress. Key candidates face unique hurdles as they vie for voter support amid ongoing controversies. Who will emerge victorious in this contentious political landscape?
Key Takeaways
- Kaliganj bypoll is a critical contest among major political parties.
- Candidates face unique challenges and opportunities based on their backgrounds.
- The minority vote will play a decisive role in the election outcome.
- Recent controversies may impact voter sentiment.
- The Election Commission is taking measures to ensure fair elections.
Kolkata, June 6 (NationPress) The upcoming three-way contest for the significant bypoll in the Kaliganj Assembly constituency of West Bengal, set for June 18, poses a major challenge for candidates from all leading political factions, including the ruling Trinamool Congress, the Opposition BJP, and the Left Front-supported Congress.
Trinamool Congress nominee Alifa Ahmed aims to surpass her late father's winning tally of 46,987 votes from 2021, a feat requiring exceptional effort following his unexpected passing in February, which triggered the need for this bypoll.
Alifa is relying on her father's legacy, a wave of sympathy, and the unification of minority votes to reach her objective.
Nevertheless, insiders from Trinamool Congress acknowledge that surpassing the previous winning margin could prove difficult amidst ongoing controversies in the state, such as the loss of jobs for 25,753 teaching and non-teaching staff in state-run schools and overdue Dearness Allowance for government employees.
For the BJP’s candidate, Ashish Ghosh, the task is to channel the growing dissatisfaction of the populace regarding these issues into support for his campaign. His strengths lie in his organizational skills and a reputation as a clean, local candidate.
Meanwhile, Congress contender Kabil Uddin Shaikh aims to solidify the traditional voter bases of both Congress and the Left Front in Kaliganj.
Historically, Congress enjoyed considerable support in Kaliganj, frequently securing victories even during the Left Front’s tenure.
Like Ghosh, Kabil Uddin Shaikh also presents himself as a clean, local candidate.
Political analysts suggest that the electoral outcomes for Kaliganj will heavily depend on the voting behavior of the minority community, which constitutes nearly 60 percent of the electorate.
“Should the minority votes consolidate in favor of the Trinamool Congress as they did in 2021, a decisive win for the ruling party’s candidate is likely. However, if Kabil Uddin Shaikh can significantly disrupt the minority vote bank, it could spell trouble for the Trinamool Congress candidate,” remarked a local political analyst.
Nasiruddin Ahmed first won a seat from Kaliganj in the 2011 West Bengal elections, marking the end of a 34-year Left Front rule and the commencement of the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress governance.
Although he faced defeat against Congress' Hasanuzzaman Sheikh in the 2016 elections, Ahmed returned to power in the 2021 Assembly polls.
Prior to 2011, Kaliganj experienced frequent electoral shifts since 1977, with contests mainly between the Left Front ally Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) and Congress.
The Election Commission of India has confirmed the deployment of 20 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces for the upcoming bypoll.
Point of View
The Kaliganj bypoll serves as a crucial indicator of voter sentiment in West Bengal. With significant political stakes involved, it reflects the ongoing challenges and aspirations of the electorate. The outcome will shape the future strategies of the major political players in the region and beyond.
NationPress
07/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the upcoming Kaliganj bypoll?
The Kaliganj bypoll is significant as it tests the political strength of major parties in West Bengal, especially in light of recent controversies affecting the ruling party.
Who are the main candidates in the Kaliganj bypoll?
The main candidates are Alifa Ahmed from Trinamool Congress, Ashish Ghosh from BJP, and Kabil Uddin Shaikh from Congress.
What percentage of voters are from the minority community?
The minority community constitutes approximately 60 percent of the total voters in the Kaliganj constituency.
What are the major issues affecting the electorate?
Key issues include job losses among teaching and non-teaching staff in state-run schools and pending Dearness Allowance for government employees.
How does the Election Commission plan to ensure fair voting?
The Election Commission has deployed 20 companies of Central Armed Police Forces to maintain order and ensure fair voting during the bypoll.
