Bypolls in two Murshidabad constituencies on May 13, Muslims seek change

Decision comes after Sanyukta Morcha candidates — from the Congress and the RSP, respectively — succumbed to Covid-19 last week

In Samserganj, Congress nominee Rezaul Haque passed away on Thursday after undergoing treatment for over a week, whereas the RSP’s Jangipur nominee Pradip Nandy passed away at the Behrampore Covid Hospital on Friday: File picture

Alamgir Hossain   |  TT  |  Samserganj   |  20.04.21: The Election Commission of India on Monday issued a notification declaring May 13 as the rescheduled date of elections in Murshidabad’s Samserganj and Jangipur constituencies, where Sanyukta Morcha candidates — from the Congress and the RSP, respectively — succumbed to Covid-19 last week.

In Samserganj, Congress nominee Rezaul Haque passed away on Thursday after undergoing treatment for over a week, whereas the RSP’s Jangipur nominee Pradip Nandy passed away at the Behrampore Covid Hospital on Friday.

The election notification, however, prompted protests from Muslims in both the constituencies, where the minority community’s population is over 80 per cent.

“Id is scheduled for May 14 to mark the end of Ramazan. Sometimes, the day comes forward, according to the moon sighting. Why couldn’t they schedule it for May 15?” asked Abdur Razzak, Murshidabad president of the All India Imam and Moazzem Organisation, accusing the commission of bias.

He said he would petition the district magistrate — also the district election officer — for a change.

District magistrate Sharad Dwivedi declined comments.

Sources, however, said the commission norms had to be followed with regard to the election date.

The notification has not gone down well with the Trinamul Congress’s Samserganj MLA and candidate Amirul Islam, who on Monday wrote an email to the commission demanding a date change.

The party’s district president and MP Abu Taher Khan also reportedly wrote to the district magistrate.

The CPM also formally asked the commission to reconsider the date.