In a development raising serious concerns about electoral integrity in West Bengal, a man identified as Newton Das, previously seen participating in the 2024 Dhaka student protests that led to the ouster of Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina, has been named in the voter roll of Kakdwip, South 24 Parganas, West Bengal.
The TV9 Bangla investigation, which aired on June 7, reported that Newton Das is listed under the Kakdwip Vidhan Sabha and Mathurapur Lok Sabha constituencies. However, his brother, Tapas Das, publicly confirmed that Newton is a Bangladeshi citizen who visited India after the COVID-19 outbreak to settle land disputes.
Newton Claims Innocence, Denies Bangladeshi Origin
In a video message released online, Newton Das denied all allegations, claiming he is an Indian citizen. According to him, his visit to Bangladesh in 2024 “coincided” with the protests, and he was merely there to resolve family land issues after becoming a legal heir.
“I have been a voter in Kakdwip since 2014,” Newton said, asserting that he had participated in the 2016 state elections and had lost his voter ID in 2017, which he claimed to have reissued in 2018 with help from a local MLA.
Despite his claims, a photograph of Newton Das holding sticks during Bangladesh’s protest movement—widely circulated on social media—has deepened the controversy. He is also seen celebrating a birthday with Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Subhashish Das, who later claimed ignorance of Newton’s citizenship status or protest involvement.
BJP Reacts Sharply, Slams “Infiltration Industry”
Reacting to the revelations, BJP West Bengal President Sukanta Majumdar tweeted:
“Another shining example of the so-called ‘Egiye Bangla Model’! Thanks to the special encouragement of the failed Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee… the TMC is now leading not just in the chop and bomb-making industries—but in the thriving **‘illegal infiltration industry.’”
Majumdar further alleged that the TMC is constructing a voter base using Bangladeshi infiltrators, calling it a blueprint for “Greater Bangladesh.”
Adding to the chorus, the official X handle of BJP West Bengal posted:
“🚨🚨We demand the Election Commission of India to grant International Party Status to Trinamool Congress as they have voters from Bangladesh, leaders from Bangladesh, and slogans from Bangladesh 📢!”
TMC Leader Claims No Knowledge
Subhashish Das, the TMC leader seen with Newton, told TV9 Bangla that he had no knowledge of Newton’s involvement in Bangladesh or his citizenship status. However, his public appearance with the accused has stirred further backlash.
Not the First Time: Previous Allegations Resurface
This isn’t the first time West Bengal rocked with such allegations. In October 2021, during the Khardah bypoll, a man from Dhaka, Bangladesh, was caught on camera admitting he was a Bangladeshi national who had come to vote. On being questioned at the polling booth, he said: “I have made a mistake.”
BJP candidate Joy Saha caught him red-handed and filed a formal complaint with the Election Commission. BJP’s Amit Malviya had then remarked, “Seems TMC knows native voters aren’t enough. Will they import from Pakistan next?”
What Lies Ahead?
While Newton Das maintains his innocence, and the TMC continues to deny wrongdoing, the matter has added fuel to ongoing concerns about illegal voting, cross-border influence, and identity manipulation in West Bengal. The Election Commission is now under pressure to take stringent action and review the voter roll, especially in border constituencies.
Until then, questions will persist: who is voting in West Bengal?