West Bengal by-polls: BJP's Suvendu Adhikari alleges sporting clubs endorsing TMC candidate Sanat Dey

Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], November 4 (ANI): West Bengal Leader of the Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari on Monday wrote to Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Mansukh Mandaviya, alleging that some officials of football and sporting clubs have endorsed Trinamool Congress candidate Sanat Dey for the upcoming by-polls.
In a post on X, Adhikari said, "In an unprecedented and unethical move, some top Officials of Football & Sporting Clubs like Mohun Bagan, East Bengal and Mohammedan Sporting have endorsed TMC Candidate Sanat Dey for the upcoming Assembly by-elections in Naihati."
"Even more surprisingly, the Secretary of West Bengal State Football`s Governing Body; IFA (Indian Football Association); Anirban Dutta also released a video message on social media which can be construed as an endorsement in Sanat Dey's favour before the election," he added.
He further said that such brazen political endorsement by people holding important administrative positions in sporting clubs and governing bodies is an unfair tactic to associate their name with the candidate, which is outright unsportsmanlike and also in violation of the code of conduct for such sporting institutions.
"I have written a letter to the Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Mansukh Mandviya requesting him to kindly take cognizance of the matter, conduct an enquiry and take appropriate action for the violation of the code of conduct," the BJP leader said.
Bypolls for West Bengal's six assembly seats--Naihati, Haroa, Medinipur, Taldangra, Sitai and Madarihat will take place on November 13 with results to be declared on November 23.
The TMC candidate on whom the BJP's Suvend Adhikari has posed allegation, Sanat Dey is in electoral fray on Naihati seat against BJP's Rupak Mitra.
The by-polls were necessitated after the MLAs from these constituencies won in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. (ANI)