Hamidul Rahman is an Indian politician who has won two terms as a member of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly.
Hamidul Rahman | |
|---|---|
| Member of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly | |
| Assumed office 2011 | |
| Preceded by | Anwarul Haque |
| Constituency | Chopra |
| In office 2001–2006 | |
| Preceded by | Mohammad Mahamuddin |
| Succeeded by | Anwarul Haque |
| Constituency | Chopra |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 15 May 1959 Chopra, West Bengal, India |
| Political party | All India Trinamool Congress (2012-present) Independent (2011) Indian National Congress (until 2011) |
Rahman won the Chopra seat in Uttar Dinajpur as an independent candidate in the 2001 election. As an Indian National Congress candidate he lost the same seat in 2006.[1][2]
In the eventful 2011 elections, which the Congress fought in alliance with All India Trinamool Congress, the Chopra seat was allotted to AITC. However, Rahman contested as an independent candidate[3] and won the seat. In fact, of the 18 rebel Congress candidates who fought elections throughout West Bengal, Rahman was the only winner.[4]
Rahman was initially suspended by the Congress for contesting against the alliance candidate, but was soon taken back into the Congress by his political mentor, Deepa Dasmunsi.[5] Rahman is alleged to have been involved in post-poll violence.[6] Subsequently, Rahman joined AITC.[7]
Controversies
editElection Commission show-cause notice
editHamidul Rahman made headlines with controversial remarks during a public meeting in Uttar Dinajpur. Addressing supporters, Rahman warned voters of severe consequences if they did not vote for the TMC in the upcoming elections. His speech suggested that while central forces would leave after the elections, TMC's own forces would remain to enforce repercussions on those who opposed the party.[8][9]
Rahman stated that votes should not be wasted on other parties, framing a vote for the CPM-Congress alliance as indirectly supporting the BJP. He implied that voters who did not support the TMC would face issues post-election and that he would not intervene on their behalf. Furthermore, he directed his own party members to ensure at least 90% of votes in each booth went to the TMC, threatening local leaders and panchayat members with consequences if this target was not met.[10][11]
The Election Commission of India (ECI) issued a show-cause notice to Rahman following these remarks, citing intimidation of voters. The controversy around his comments led to significant backlash from opposition parties, particularly the BJP, which accused him of attempting to influence the electoral process through threats and intimidation.[12]
References
edit- ^ "General Elections, India, 2001, to the Legislative Assembly of West Bengal" (PDF). Constituency-wise Data. Election Commission. Retrieved 1 July 2014.
- ^ "General Elections, India, 2006, to the Legislative Assembly of West Bengal" (PDF). Constituency-wise Data. Election Commission. Retrieved 1 July 2014.
- ^ "Deepa backs rebels under Sonia nose - MP pleads for Congress 'soldiers'". The Telegraph. 16 April 2011. Archived from the original on 11 September 2012. Retrieved 4 July 2014.
- ^ "Rebels flattened but give pinpricks". The Telegraph. 14 May 2011. Archived from the original on 14 September 2012. Retrieved 4 July 2014.
- ^ "Deepa brings back Hamidul- Raiganj MP ascribes Mamata's rise to power to Congress". The Telegraph. 12 September 2011. Archived from the original on 7 July 2014. Retrieved 4 July 2014.
- ^ "Only rebel to win and lonely too". The Telegraph. 20 May 2011. Archived from the original on 26 July 2014. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
- ^ "Hamidul in Trinamul". The Telegraph. 24 March 2012. Retrieved 4 July 2014.
- "BJP main rival, says Sujoy Ghatak". The Statesman. 22 March 2014. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 4 July 2014. - ^ PTI. "Lok Sabha Elections 2024: ECI issues show cause notice to TMC MLA for 'threatening' voters, Opposition party workers". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
- ^ Gupta, Apromeya Datta (23 April 2024). "তৃণমূল কংগ্রেস বিধায়ক হামিদুল রহমানকে শোকজ, নির্বাচন কমিশন জবাব তলব করল". Hindustantimes Bangla (in Bengali). Retrieved 1 July 2024.
- ^ "'Traitors will be dealt with post-polls': TMC MLA threatens voters | Watch". India Today. 5 March 2021. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
- ^ Sen, Koushik (25 April 2024). "Election Commission showcauses TMC MLA Hamidul Rahaman for 'threat' speech". Telegraph India.
- ^ "Press Trust Of India". www.ptinews.com. Retrieved 1 July 2024.