The cooperative elections in West Bengal, especially in Contai, mirrored the intensity of state Assembly and Parliamentary polls due to the fierce political rivalry between the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Despite TMC-supported candidates securing a landslide victory, sporadic violence and allegations of rigging marred the election process.
TMC candidates won 101 out of 108 seats, with the BJP managing only six, while an Independent secured one seat. This result dealt a significant blow to the BJP, particularly as Contai lies in East Midnapore, a stronghold of Suvendu Adhikari, now a senior BJP leader. Notably, Adhikari had chaired the cooperative bank during his time with the TMC before switching to the BJP in 2020.
Violence and tensions punctuated the election despite tight security by both central and state forces. In Heriya, a heated altercation broke out after the BJP accused TMC workers of seizing voter slips and coercing opposition voters.
A similar incident occurred in Kolaghat. In Ramnagar, the BJP alleged that its workers were assaulted and voters barred from polling stations, with their voter IDs and slips confiscated. The situation escalated when BJP workers blocked a road in protest, but police managed to restore order.
The elections garnered national attention after the Supreme Court intervened last week, ordering the deployment of central forces at five critical locations. The apex court’s directive followed violence during the Tamluk Agricultural Society elections in Nandigram, where one person was killed.
For the BJP, the loss in Contai carries significant political weight, as the party currently holds seven out of the 16 Assembly seats in East Midnapore, including Contai North and South, and the Contai Lok Sabha seat.
BJP leaders vehemently accused the TMC of intimidation, rigging, and turning the election into a “farce.” BJP South Contai MLA Arup Kumar Das alleged that voters were systematically prevented from casting ballots in booths where central forces were absent.
The election was equally critical for the TMC, with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee determined to make a political statement in Adhikari’s bastion. She entrusted Ramnagar MLA Akhil Giri to lead her party’s charge. Giri declared the victory a rejection of the Adhikari family’s dominance, stating, “Contai is no longer their stronghold. People have rejected the BJP outright.”
The cooperative bank election, held after five years of legal delays, reflects the deep political polarization in the state. While violence remained contained, sporadic scuffles and tensions underscored the stakes involved for both parties.