BackPOLITICS
Enticement, Intimidation By Trinamool: Adhir Chowdhury On Women's Turnout
Congress leader Adhir Chowdhury alleged that Trinamool Congress enticed and intimidated female voters by warning that the Lakshmir Bhandar scheme would be discontinued if they did not support the party. He framed the high female turnout as positive but indicative of coercive tactics, contrasting current schemes with BJP promises and citing incidents like the RG Kar rape case and Sandeshkhali sex abuse as context used by the BJP.
Why It Matters
The remarks highlight political tensions in West Bengal over how welfare schemes and alleged coercion influence women voters ahead of the election.
Timeline
1 Event
Adhir Chowdhury's remarks on women's turnout and alleged enticement/intimidation by Trinamool
April 23, 2026
Chowdhury, a long-time rival of Mamata Banerjee, alleged that Trinamool Congress enticed and intimidated female voters by warning that the Lakshmir Bhandar financial assistance scheme would be discontinued if they did not vote for the party. He acknowledged the high turnout among women as a positive development but suggested it reflected coercive tactics. He contrasted the party's current cash-disbursement where money is already being provided with BJP's promises to create future schemes, and noted that BJP cites incidents such as the RG Kar rape case and the Sandeshkhali sex abuse to illustrate anger among women. The remarks were reported in an article published on April 23, 2026.