Malda, Aug. 31 -- A controversy has erupted over the citizenship of the newly elected Pradhan of Golapganj Gram Panchayat in Kaliachak-III block of Malda, with a Congress panchayat member alleging that she is a Bangladeshi national. The allegation has triggered a political confrontation, with the Pradhan and her husband strongly denying the charges.
Golapganj Gram Panchayat was captured by the Congress in the last panchayat elections, with Tahsina Bibi becoming the Pradhan. However, she was removed following a no-confidence motion on July 30. On August 27, Trinamool Congress's Chemani Bibi was elected as the new chief.
Congress panchayat member Krishna Mondal had allegedly approached the district administration on August 10, claiming that Chemani Bibi is a Bangladeshi citizen. According to Mondal, her father's name appears on the electoral roll in Bangladesh and her ancestral home is in Shibganj of Chapainawabganj district. He also questioned how her name could appear as "under consideration" in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process and how she could participate in the electoral process.
The issue has also raised questions over the voting that led to her election. Chemani Bibi reportedly secured the support of five Trinamool members, two Independents, three BJP members and six Congress members, taking the total to 16 votes.
The former chief's husband and another Congress member have questioned how she could become chief despite the citizenship allegations. Chemani Bibi and her husband, however, rejected the allegations as "false and baseless." Her husband said: "We have all the documents to prove that we are citizens of this country. She is not a Bangladeshi. They are making these allegations because they lost."
Chemani Bibi also maintained that she was legally entitled to vote and said: "Many people are under consideration. I voted in accordance with the court's order." Golapganj Congress block leadership has criticised the administration. Region Congress president Dulal Ahmed alleged that despite the complaint, a person whose name had reportedly been excluded during SIR was made panchayat chief.
BJP South Malda organisational district general secretary Biswajit Roy said: "The administration is examining the matter. If she is found to be a Bangladeshi national, she will be pushed back; otherwise, she will remain here."
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.