KOLKATA — Trinamool Congress general secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Thursday launched a direct attack on BJP candidate Shouvik Patra from the campaign stage in Taldangra in West Bengal’s Bankura district, while canvassing support for his party’s candidate Falguni Singhababu.
Banerjee said that leaders discarded by the Trinamool Congress have become assets for the BJP.
“The rotten goods we throw away, the BJP puts them on their heads. A complaint had earlier been filed against the BJP candidate here at the police station. He was once associated with our party’s student organisation, but we removed him later. In the last five years, the BJP has taken away Bengal’s rightful funds by withholding money under several welfare schemes.
“They have picked up our discarded leader and made him a candidate, against whom there are allegations of molestation. On one side are teachers and on the other side are thieves and cheaters. Good people do not join the BJP. Those whom we have boycotted, they have accepted,” Banerjee said.
It may be noted that Arup Chakraborty won the Assembly election from Taldangra in 2021 on a Trinamool ticket. He was later fielded by the party in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from the Bankura constituency, which he won.
Subsequently, a by-election was held in the Taldangra Assembly constituency, where Falguni Singhababu emerged victorious. A teacher by profession, he has been fielded again by the Trinamool Congress in the Assembly elections, citing his organisational skills.
Abhishek Banerjee expressed confidence about his party’s prospects in Taldangra.
He said, “Everyone knows the identity of our candidate Falguni Singhababu. People have seen his skills and his commitment to standing by them. He rose from being an organiser to becoming the block youth Trinamool president. He contested the by-election and has been nominated again. This time, victory is only a matter of time.”
After the expected victory, Banerjee also assured development in Taldangra. He said, “As per the demands of the people of Taldangra, we will build a bridge over the Shilavati river and a super-speciality hospital here. We have to win in four blocks where we are currently trailing in votes.”
It is worth mentioning that in the current contest, Trinamool’s Falguni Singhababu is pitted against BJP candidate Shouvik Patra, who faces multiple allegations in Taldangra. -I ANS
