Thousands of Migrant Workers Return to Bengal to Cast Their Votes

Kolkatta: A different movement is being seen in West Bengal before the first phase of assembly elections. Thousands of laborers who had gone to other states for work are now returning back to their villages. The reason is not only to vote but also the fear that if they do not vote this time, their name may be removed from the voter list.

Why are migrant workers returning suddenly?

People from districts like Malda, Murshidabad, Cooch Behar, North Dinajpur and Alipurduar have returned home in large numbers. Voting is to be held in these areas in the first phase. Many workers clearly said that they had left work because they felt that if they did not vote, their names could be removed from the list. This fear brought them back.

How were the travel arrangements made?

At many places, the workers themselves made arrangements to come by adding money. Samayun Shaikh, a young man from Murshidabad, returned with his friends from Sambalpur, Odisha after booking a full bus.
Similarly, people are returning from Gujarat, Maharashtra, Delhi and Andhra Pradesh. Some are still on the way and trying to reach polling day.

Are political parties also active?

Rhetoric has also started on this issue. Samik Bhattacharya said that trains are being arranged so that people working outside do not face any problem in returning.

How much strictness is being seen before the elections?

After the announcement of elections, the administration has increased surveillance. Goods worth hundreds of crores of rupees have been seized so far. This includes cash as well as liquor, narcotics, gold and silver and gift items, which could have been used to influence voters during the elections.

What do the seizure statistics say?

So far, more than Rs 472 crore has been seized. This also includes large quantities of alcohol and drugs.
A large number of precious metals and gift items have also been seized. These figures show that this time surveillance is more strict than before.

When did the action start?

Although the code of conduct came into force later, the work of investigation and checking had started even before that. Its purpose was to prevent any kind of disturbance before the elections.

This time the elections in Bengal are not just a political contest, but people's participation is also in discussion. On one hand, workers are returning home to cast their votes at any cost, while on the other hand, the administration is trying its best to ensure that the elections are conducted in a clean and peaceful manner.