The Enforcement Directorate has issued a summons to Debashis Kumar, a candidate from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and serving MLA, in relation to a land-grabbing investigation. Kumar is contesting for the Rashbehari constituency in the upcoming West Bengal assembly elections. He arrived at the ED office for questioning on Monday.

Allegations Against Construction Firm

The inquiry arises from allegations that a construction company unlawfully encroached upon land in multiple areas of South Kolkata to facilitate construction projects. In light of these claims, the ED conducted searches leading to the summons for Kumar. The agency alleges that the construction firm engaged in these actions with support from the municipal corporation.

Political Reactions from TMC

Kunal Ghosh, a TMC leader and candidate for North Beleghata, accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of using the ED to intimidate voters. He remarked that BJP affiliates, not directly involved in politics, utilize agencies like the ED and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to influence the electoral process. Ghosh expressed concerns about voter harassment, including the removal of voter names from registration lists. He attributed these tactics to the BJP’s declining performance in the polls.

Context of the Previous Elections

In the last assembly elections held in West Bengal in 2021, the TMC achieved a significant victory, securing 213 seats while the BJP increased its presence with 77 seats. Both the Congress and the Left Front did not win any seats in that election. This backdrop underscores the high stakes in the forthcoming elections as parties prepare to contest strongly.

Upcoming Election Schedule

The Election Commission of India has announced the schedule for the upcoming assembly elections. The first phase will encompass 152 constituencies, with the gazette notification issued on March 30. The deadline for candidates to file their nominations is April 6, followed by the scrutiny of these nominations on April 7. Candidates will have until April 9 to withdraw their nominations, with polling set for April 23.

The second phase, including 142 assembly constituencies, will see the gazette notification issued on April 2. Nomination filings will close on April 9, with scrutiny slated for April 10. Withdrawal of nominations will be allowed until April 13, with polling expected on April 29 and the counting of votes scheduled for May 4.

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