Union minister of state for youth affairs and sports Nisith Pramanik, who is contesting Lok Sabha polls from Cooch Behar for the second time, today started election campaigning with a difference.

Before attending a political meeting at Natun Bazar near Rail Gate in Cooch Behar today, the Union minister asked his party workers to remove party flags and banners from the dais.

The objective was to organise an inauguration programme of the ministry of youth affairs and sports.

Mr Pramanik virtually (with the help of a smartphone) inaugurated and launched several projects for youth affairs and sports in 27 places across the country. The estimated cost of the projects was nearly Rs 150 crore.

After the end of his official programme party workers put up party flags and banners and then Mr Pramanik addressed the people politically.

Minister Mr Pramanik said, “I got the information about the inauguration of some projects in Nagaland, Assam, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and other states at an eleventh hour. Since we cannot do an official programme from a political platform, we decided to remove party flags and banners from here.”

“Our Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji has pointed out that the government’s developmental works are hampered for two to three months due to elections. Before the election and even its notification, political leaders start working politically. Keeping in mind this tradition, we have decided to continue developmental work as much as possible before notification of elections. As a result I had to cut short my political programme today,” Mr Pramanik said.

Mr Pramanik canvassed for votes so that he can win the seat with a record margin to strengthen the hand of Mr Modi for the third time.

He also disclosed that the issue of his election campaigning was based on Viksit Bharat to make India a developed nation by 2047.

Notably, he has completed reaching out to the people in Mathabhanga, Sitalkuchi and Sitai Assembly segments in Cooch Behar LS seat.

“Today, I will complete Jana Sanyog Yatra in Natabari Assembly segment and will showcase a report card of the central government under the leadership of Modi ji” Mr Pramanik said.

Speaking to the reporters he also expressed his confidence and claimed better results compared to last LS polls in Cooch Behar.

When asked to comment on unhappiness over nomination of candidates of the TMC, Mr Pramanik, who was a youth leader, said, “Trinamul Congress is a betrayer. It will be finished gradually.”