Trinamul Congress (TMC) candidates today asserted that the BJP must be ousted to save Bengal from communal unrest and “anti-Bengal forces” after filing their nomination papers in Serampore.
Hundreds of TMC supporters enthusiastically accompanied the party’s nominated candidates — Sirsanya Banerjee (Uttarpara), Arindam Guin (Champdany), Snehashis Chakraborty (Jangipara), Swati Khandokar (Chanditala) and Tanmoy Ghosh (Serampore) — as they proceeded to submit their nomination papers.
Before filing their nominations, the candidates visited the Mahesh Jagannath Temple to seek blessings.
Uttarpara candidate Sirsanya Banerjee appeared confident of victory. He said he did not consider the BJP, Congress, CPI-M or others as serious challengers and claimed they would lose badly. He outlined his priorities, including upgrading the drainage system to prevent waterlogging, improving road infrastructure, enhancing medical facilities at Uttarpara State General Hospital and other government hospitals, establishing a model school and a nursing college, and utilising MLA funds for development work.
Champdany candidate Arindam Guin and Jangipara candidate Snehashis Chakraborty criticised the BJP, alleging that it plays with the religious sentiments of the people instead of focusing on issue-based politics. They accused the party of promoting a “distorted religious ideology” in the name of Sanatan Dharma and dividing people along religious lines. They also alleged that the Narendra Modi-led government has withheld state development funds and described its approach as anti-Bengal and anti-Bengali. They further held the BJP responsible for recent SIR-related deaths and claimed that people are ready to oust the party from Bengal.
Serampore candidate Tanmoy Ghosh said he was overwhelmed by the support of the people and expressed confidence of winning by a large margin. He added that ongoing development work and welfare schemes have benefited people across all age groups.
Chanditala candidate Swati Khandokar said that people are no longer concerned about what the BJP, CPI-M or Congress say, as they believe there is no alternative to the TMC, which she described as a party rooted in the ethos of TMC.