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ECI Cancels TMC Candidate's Nomination Over Govt Business Ties in Bengal

The Election Commission of India has cancelled the nomination of Trinamool Congress candidate Avinabha Bhattacharya from the Krishnanagar (Uttar) Assembly constituency. The cancellation was made under Section 9A of the Representation of the People Act due to his business agreements with the West Bengal government. Consequently, party veteran Somnath Dutta, who had filed as a second candidate, is now the main TMC nominee for the seat. The article notes a similar incident occurred with the BJP's candidate in Birbhum during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Key Points: ECI Cancels Trinamool Candidate Nomination in Bengal Polls

  • Nomination cancelled under RP Act
  • Business ties with state govt cited
  • Somnath Dutta becomes main candidate
  • Similar case with BJP in 2024
2 min read

ECI cancels nomination of Trinamool candidate from Krishnanagar (Uttar) in Bengal's Nadia

Election Commission cancels TMC candidate Avinabha Bhattacharya's nomination for Krishnanagar seat due to government business interests. Somnath Dutta now the candidate.

"termed the political development as unfortunate - Avinabha Bhattacharya"

Kolkata, April 10

The Election Commission of India on Friday cancelled the nomination of Trinamool Congress candidate from Krishnanagar Assembly constituency in Nadia district of West Bengal, Avinabha Bhattacharya, for the forthcoming two-phase Assembly elections in the state later this month.

Following the cancellation of Bhattacharya's nomination, the Trinamool Congress veteran from the district, Somnath Dutta, who had already filed his nomination as the second candidate of the party on Thursday afternoon, is now the main party candidate from the Assembly constituency.

The Returning Officer for Krishnanagar (Uttar) Assembly constituency cancelled Bhattacharya's nomination under Section 9A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, due to complications related to his having a business agreement with the West Bengal government.

As per the rules, a person cannot contest any election if they are directly involved in any government job or have business interests with any government.

In the case of Bhattacharya, the ECI's observation had been that because of his involvement and business interests as a state government contractor, he could not file his nomination as a candidate for any election.

Bhattacharya termed the political development as unfortunate and said he will not act on the basis of the instructions given to him by his party leadership.

Trinamool Congress Lok Sabha member from Krishnanagar, Mahua Moitra, also confirmed the development and said that Somnath Dutta would be the new candidate from Krishnanagar (Uttar) Assembly seat.

The Trinamool Congress, too, had sensed that something of this sort might happen with Bhattacharya and hence on the closing hours of filing nominations on Thursday, Somnath Dutta filed the nomination as the second candidate.

Now, with Bhattacharya's nomination being cancelled, Dutta will be the Trinamool Congress candidate from Krishnanagar (Uttar).

The same incident took place in the case of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2024 during the party candidate for Birbhum Lok Sabha constituency in Birbhum district.

The nomination of former Indian Police Service (IPS) officer and the BJP's candidate from Birbhum Lok Sabha constituency, Debashis Dhar, was cancelled since he could not provide the 'no dues' certificate from the West Bengal government following his resignation from police service.

Following this, the BJP veteran from the district, Debtanu Bhattacharya, who had already filed his nomination as the second candidate of the party, was the new BJP candidate.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Shreya B
This is so messy. The party clearly knew there was an issue, which is why they had a backup candidate ready. It feels like political gamesmanship rather than a genuine mistake. Voters deserve transparency from the start.
A
Avinash G
Section 9A exists for a very good reason—to prevent conflict of interest. A contractor making money from the state shouldn't make laws for the state. The principle is sound, even if the last-minute musical chairs look unseemly.
P
Priya S
As a voter from Bengal, I'm tired. First BJP, now TMC. Parties need to vet their candidates properly before nomination day. We want to know who we are voting for, not see a last-minute replacement. This lack of preparation is disrespectful to the electorate.
M
Michael C
Interesting to see the same scenario play out across parties. It shows the systemic issue of candidates having entanglements with the government. The ECI's consistency here is a positive sign for institutional integrity.
K
Kavya N
Somnath Dutta is a veteran, so maybe it's for the best. But Bhattacharya saying he won't act on party instructions sounds like sour grapes. In the end, the show must go on. Hope the focus returns to real issues like development and jobs in Nadia.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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