Bengal, March 26: BJP’s IT-Cell head and central co-observer of Bengal Amit Malviya shared a video on Twitter alleging that TMC MLA and candidate from Balarampur Shantiram Mahato was distributing cash to the people while campaigning in his constituency on the eve of the first phase of polling.
Shantiram Mahato, sitting MLA and TMC’s candidate from Balarampur, also a minister in the outgoing government, on the eve of first phase of polling can be seen distributing cash.
Will the EC please take note and act? pic.twitter.com/TVnJZjDnrT
— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) March 26, 2021
In the 20 second clip, it is seen that TMC MLA Shantiram Mahato was distributing cash to a person while campaigning in his constituency.
He is an MLA, elected from the Balarampur constituency in the 2011 West Bengal state assembly election.
Also prominent social worker and Presently WB State President to Hindustan Scouts and Guides Association, Manhamana Malviya Mission ITO New Delhi.
However, West Bengal and Assam set for the first phase of assembly elections on Saturday, campaigning for this phase concludes on Thursday.
The poll campaigning across states is in full swing with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) looking to retain its hold in Assam and wrest power from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal.
In Bengal, the BJP aims to get a majority of over 200 seats while Mamata Banerjee, who leads the TMC, is also confident of coming to power in the state for the third time. The latter has termed it a “smiley election”.
This comes even as several leaders of her party, including her close aide Suvendu Adhikari and his father Sisir, jumped boats and joined the opposition BJP in recent days.
Also Read: Campaigning for Phase 1 of assembly polls in Bengal, Assam ends today, voting on Saturday
The TMC poll manifesto contains promises ranging from strengthening the economy to creating jobs, from improving farmers’ welfare, health, and education indices to providing housing to all, the BJP’s Sankalp Patra lays special focus on uplifting the status of women in the state.
The party also promised one job per family, implementation of 7th pay commission for state government employees, PM-Kisan arrear of ₹18,000 for 75 lakh farmers, and the implementation of the Ayushman Bharat scheme in Bengal.
West Bengal will go to polls in eight phases on March 27, April 1, April 6, April 10, April 17, April 22, April 26, and April 29, respectively. The results of the elections will be announced on May 2.
