“Presiding Officer is a TMC Cadre!” – BJP Candidate Ashish Ghosh in Heated Clash at Kaliganj Booth

A dramatic confrontation unfolded at booth number 54 of Chandghar Adarsha Vidyapith in Kaliganj, where BJP candidate Ashish Ghosh publicly accused the presiding officer of acting as a “TMC cadre.” The dispute erupted after BJP’s polling agent was allegedly denied entry into the booth, triggering a visit from the candidate himself.

Upon attempting to enter the booth with the agent, central forces initially stopped Ghosh, prompting a heated argument with the presiding officer. During the exchange, Ghosh accused the official of working on behalf of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), claiming,

“This presiding officer is nothing but a TMC worker. He’s following party orders.”

In response, the presiding officer said he was only doing his duty and stated,

“There was a misunderstanding. The BJP agent has now been allowed to sit.”

⚠️ What Happened at the Booth?

• Allegations were already surfacing across Kaliganj of opposition agents being blocked from polling booths.

• Some booths reported EVM malfunctions in addition to agent removal complaints.

• BJP candidate Ashish Ghosh visited the booth personally after hearing about the issue.

• Central forces initially blocked access, sparking tension and a crowd of BJP supporters gathered outside.

• The situation escalated until the Election Commission contacted the presiding officer, after which the BJP agent was finally allowed to enter.

🗨️ BJP’s Objection Continues

Ashish Ghosh, visibly upset, stated: “Whether they admit it or not, these officers are TMC’s cadres. The EC must act. If the agent can be allowed now, why was he kept out for over two hours? Who was ensuring transparency in that period?”

This follows a morning statement by TMC candidate Alifa Ahmed, who remarked, “If the opposition can’t place agents, what can we do?”

The Kaliganj bypolls witnessed intense controversy over polling booth access, with BJP-TMC tensions flaring into direct clashes. Such rare public confrontations between a candidate and a polling officer raise serious concerns over the conduct of free and fair elections. All eyes are now on how the Election Commission responds to these developments.