Panihati: For the mother of the RG Kar rape-and-murder victim, her first day as a candidate in the polls was fraught with tension, confrontations, and complaints from multiple quarters. Controversies trailed the debutante throughout the day, ranging from allegations of attempting to influence voters waiting in line at various booths to stepping into scuffles between BJP and Trinamool Congress workers, and even lodging her own complaints against the TMC.
A Personal Start to the Day
The morning began on a deeply personal note. She and her husband cast their votes at Natagarh Sangha around 7:20 am, near their home. Before voting, she shared, 'This morning, I entered my daughter's room to offer my prayers to her, after which I prayed to Sarada Devi. I am fighting this battle to secure justice for her and for all women in Bengal, so they can live peacefully. I recalled that in the last election, the three of us voted together, but this time only my husband and I came. This void will never be filled.'
Booth Visits and Allegations
Soon after voting, she began visiting polling booths across her constituency, encouraging voters to come out and cast their ballots. At a booth in ward 32, central forces removed a local councillor from the vicinity. At another booth, voting was briefly halted due to an EVM malfunction. Allegations surfaced at Agarpara Pathagar, where the BJP claimed that the button bearing her name and photo had been defaced with ink, prompting a complaint to the Election Commission.
Escalating Tensions
Tensions escalated at Azad Hind Nagar, where she objected to a gathering near a booth. A heated argument between BJP and TMC workers turned into a scuffle. Police asked her to leave as rival slogans filled the air. She later said, 'They blocked us and chanted slogans at me while the police asked me to leave. Why? How long will this continue?' Local councillor Himangsu Deb countered, 'The entire area is peaceful. The BJP is trying to create trouble along with the candidate and has instigated our supporters.'
Continuing Despite Disruptions
Despite the disruptions, she continued visiting booths and interacting with voters. Meanwhile, her opponents—TMC's Tirthankar Ghosh and Left candidate Kalyan Dasgupta—spent the day differently. She remarked, 'I know the battleground, and I am sure they will choose the truth.'
