'Don't complain if anything happens...': TMC leader's warning to voters
What's the story
Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Hamidur Rehman has stirred controversy with his recent comments at an election rally in Chopra, North Dinajpur district of West Bengal.
Rehman issued a veiled warning to voters, suggesting potential repercussions if they did not support his party in the Lok Sabha election.
He further implied that their safety could not be guaranteed after the central forces leave the district on April 26, the day of voting.
Veiled threat
Rehman's warning targets opposition supporters
Addressing locals at the rally, Rehman said, "The supporters of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Congress and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) are keenly awaiting the polling day in North Dinajpur. However, I wish to tell them that the central forces will only be around till April 26.
"Thereafter, you will fall back under our force (a veiled reference to the state police)."
He urged those supporting opposition parties not to waste their votes on BJP, Congress, and CPI(M) candidates.
Development challenge
TMC leader challenges opposition on development works
The TMC leader also challenged the opposition parties—BJP, Congress, and the Left—to list their development works in the district.
"If the BJP, Congress, or the CPI(M) carried out any development work here, even I will stand in their support," Rehman stated.
The Lok Sabha election will be held in seven phases, beginning April 19, followed by April 26, May 7, 13, 20, 25, and June 1.
The votes for all 543 Lok Sabha seats will be counted on June 4.
Protest detention
Previous election results
In the 2014 Lok Sabha election, the TMC secured 24 seats in the state, while the BJP managed to win only two.
However, in the 2019 Lok Sabha election, the saffron party made major gains, winning 18 seats against the TMC's 22.
The Congress's tally dropped to just two seats, while the Left failed to win a single seat.