Jadavpur, once considered a stronghold of the Left, the CPI-M has fielded former Kolkata Mayor Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya. The Trinamul Congress has retained Debabrata Majumdar as its candidate from the constituency. Majumdar is the councillor from Ward 96 and is also the MMiC at Kolkata Municipal Corporation. The BJP candidate from the constituency is Sarbori Mukherjee.
Positioning himself as a proponent of accelerated development and revival, Bhattacharya has promised to restore Jadavpur’s lost industrial glory. However, his claims have drawn sharp criticism from Majumdar, who took aim at the Left’s track record while unveiling his election manifesto at Dulal Das Thakur Bhavan recently.
Addressing the media, Majumdar alleged that Jadavpur, once a leading industrial hub, suffered a gradual decline under Left rule. He pointed out that despite Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee being elected from the constituency and later becoming Chief Minister, the area saw little infrastructural or industrial progress. Instead, several major industrial units shut down during that period. Many of these industrial lands, he claimed, were later converted into commercial complexes or high-rise projects.
“If this is what they call development, then yes, the Left has certainly delivered,” Mr Majumdar said, in a clear swipe at Bhattacharya. He also blamed Mr Bhattacharya that despite being elected from Jadavpur and later serving as Kolkata’s Mayor, he did little to develop the area.
Mr Majumdar also targeted the BJP and the Centre’s economic policies. A chartered accountant by profession, he said: “Today, the dollar is nearing Rs 94. Where does that leave the image of the current government?” he asked, taking a dig at the Centre’s economic management.
Several local leaders, including Mayor-in-Council member Mitali Banerjee and councillors Sushila Mondal, Seema Ghosh, Arijit Das Thakur, and Saroj Kumar Mondal, were present at the manifesto launch event.
The manifesto outlines a series of development promises for Jadavpur. Key proposals include improving drainage through new pumping stations, easing traffic congestion by rehabilitating hawkers in an organised manner, constructing new roads, expanding CCTV surveillance, upgrading water reservoirs and treatment facilities, and modernising infrastructure at Baghajatin and Bijoygarh hospitals.