After complaints of a Trinamool candidate violating the Model Code of Conduct by organizing religious events, Election Commission officials visited Bali in Howrah district for an investigation. The BJP accused Trinamool candidate Kailash Mishra of influencing voters through a ‘naam-sankirtan’ event, with the candidate’s name featured in the program. Election officials, accompanied by central forces, inspected the event on the spot following the complaint to verify if proper permits were in place.
The Trinamool has retaliated against the BJP over the incident, intensifying political tensions in Bali as the polling day nears. BJP candidate Sanjay Singh alleged that his opponent organized a religious event near the Trinamool office, flouting Election Commission regulations. The stage banner prominently displayed the Trinamool candidate’s name, raising concerns about compliance with the Commission’s rules regarding religious events.
According to Election Commission guidelines, organizing religious events without prior permission is prohibited for candidates. In response to the complaint, Commission officials visited the site and requested administrative approval from the event organizers. The Trinamool candidate, Kailash, engaged with the Commission officials, who indicated that the event would need to cease if no permission was granted.
Kailash accused the BJP of exploiting religious sentiments for political motives, alleging that the opposition was leveraging the Election Commission and administration to disrupt their event. Despite ongoing local reports of the event, a decision on the matter is pending. Meanwhile, a BJP leader contended that organizing such religious events during the Assembly polls violates the Model Code of Conduct. The Bally constituency in Howrah district is scheduled for polling in the second phase on April 29.
