Pandua in Hooghly, a little more than 60 km from Kolkata, will see a triangular contest between the ruling Trinamul Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party and Left’s CPI-M.
This time, the constituency will see a fight with both the TMC and the BJP fielding new faces in Pandua. While the TMC has fielded Samir Chakraborty, a former MLA from Taldangra in Bankura district, the BJP candidate is Tusar Kumar Majumdar. The CPI-M has fielded Sk Amjad Hossain, twice winner from the seat in 2016 and 2011.
Samir Chakraborty, a veteran politician, feels that fighting from a new seat is not a factor. “When I was chosen for Taldangra in 2016, it was also new to me. Here, my fight is against the BJP,” said Mr Chakraborty.
Recently, Mr Chakraborty was seen exchanging pleasantries with his CPI-M rival during campaigning, setting an example at a time when the campaigns by political parties are very bitter and even get personal at times.
The picture has been doing the rounds of social media. The gentleman politician said: “On Monday, we met when we were both on the campaign trail. I came out of my car to greet him. We exchanged pleasantries, wished each other success and parted on a happy note. Amjad Hossain was in the Assembly with me in 2016.”
Fighting anti-establishment, Samir Chakraborty is confident of his win from the seat. “I am seeking votes in the name of Mamata Banerjee. Women voters here have been beneficiaries of Lakshmir Bhandar while the men have benefitted from the many other schemes by the state govt. People have been traditionally voting for the Chief Minister and Abhishek Banerjee,” he said.
Another factor, which the TMC candidate feels will play a decisive role in the polls, is the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. “People are angry with the Centre for doing SIR, which has played havoc with their lives,” added the candidate.
Though new to Pandua constituency, Samir Chakraborty is not an unknown figure to the local electorate. People instantly recognise him for being a popular face at television talk shows. He says the association with him and the voters is instant and he needed no introduction to them.
Like many others of his ilk, this veteran politician does not believe in making electoral promises. “Leaders are notorious for making promises during polls and then not fulfilling them. The biggest example of this is the PM, Narendra Modi. The only promise I make is that I will be by their side during their distress,” said the TMC leader.
The TMC senior politician feels fortunate to get assistance from his wife in his campaign. It’s always an advantage if your better half is Krishna Chakraborty, Mayor of Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation. Mr Chakraborty does not shy away from acknowledging as much. “She is often seen with our party chairperson Mamata Banerjee at different forums. Women here recognise her, which helps her connect better with the women and tribal people of this constituency,” signs of Mr Chakraborty.