Kolkata, Apr 13 (PTI) The BJP on Monday urged the Election Commission to bar Trinamool Congress candidate Aditi Munsi from contesting the upcoming West Bengal assembly polls, alleging that foreign nationals took part in her rallies.
In its complaint submitted to the poll panel, the BJP claimed that “Nigerian nationals were seen participating in rallies and public meetings” in the Rajarhat-Gopalpur Assembly constituency, waving TMC flags and raising slogans in support of the candidate.
The complaint was submitted by BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya and party leader Shishir Bajoria at the Chief Electoral Officer’s office.
There was no immediate official response from the TMC.
The saffron party also attached a video along with the complaint, in which foreign nationals were purportedly seen actively involved in campaign activities while wearing badges bearing the Trinamool Congress’ poll symbol.
PTI could not independently verify the authenticity of the video.
In the complaint, the BJP cited provisions of the Constitution, as well as the Foreigners Act and the Representation of the People Act, to argue that only Indians can participate in the electoral process and that foreign nationals cannot do so.
It urged the Election Commission to take strict legal action against Munsi for the “corrupt practice” and bar her from campaigning.
The party also demanded that all related videos be removed from social media and that the foreign nationals involved have their visas cancelled and be deported from the country.
A local TMC leader of the Rajarhat-Gopalpur Assembly constituency, however, said the Nigerian individuals allegedly seen in the videos were footballers associated with a local club and may have “inadvertently joined the rally” and denied any organised involvement in the campaign.
The controversy is reminiscent of a similar incident during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections when Bangladeshi actor Ferdous Ahmed faced action for participating in an election campaign in North Bengal while on a visit on a business visa. PTI SUS NSD
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