A blend of old members, turncoats and cine stars characterised the BJP’s list for the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth phases of Bengal Assembly elections. The 148-member list — which saw saffron workers revolting in many places against the choice of candidates — was released on Thursday.
The main highlight of the list was the candidature of party all-India vice president Mukul Roy who will contest from Krishnagar North constituency. Roy will be contesting an election after a gap of almost two decades.
Apart from Roy, Nadia MP Jagannath Sarkar too has been fielded to contest from Shantipur in the same district. Former Kolkata Deputy Mayor Meena Devi Purohit will contest from North Kolkata where as fashion personality Agnimitra Paul will contest from Asansol.
Among the turncoats are Jitendra Tewari who will contest from Pandaveshwar and Vaishali Dalmiya --- a former TMC MLA and daughter of late BCCI president Jagmohan Dalmiya --- will contest from Bali. Besides, Bengali cine stars like Rudranil Ghosh will contest from Bhawanipore seat. The Chief Minister who has shifted to Nandigram is currently the sitting MLA from this seat.
Actress Sayantika Chatterjee will contest against senior Bengal Minister Partho Chatterjee from Behala whereas former BJP State president Rahul Sinha will fight from Habra in North 24 Parganas.
Meanwhile, in a related development violence erupted in places like Bhatpara and Nandigram after alleged TMC supporters attacked the BJP members, sources said.
At Bhatpara in North 24 Parganas a woman was injured after several bombs were hurled near the residence of BJP MP Arjun Singh who alleged police complacency in the matter. Singh said bombs were thrown at 15 places by TMC
goons in Jagaddal area of Bhatpara.
“We have informed the police that criminals are roaming around with arms. But nothing has been done. Bombs were hurled and CCTV cameras installed by police have been broken by the TMC goons. We are bringing this to the notice of the Election Commission,” Singh added.
Elsewhere clashes broke out between supporters of the TMC and the BJP on Thursday at high-profile Nandigram where Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari have locked horns.
The incident took place just after Adhikari’s meeting and in presence of Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan who was leading a rally. At least six persons from both the parties were injured, sources said adding police have been rushed to the area and the situation has been brought under control.
“I saw five to six TMC men attacking one of our Yuva Morcha (BJYM) activists, Purna Patra. He was bleeding as the attackers fled the spot. I managed to send him to Reapara Hospital in the area,” Pradhan said. Violence also broke out at Harishchandrapur in Malda and some other places after angry BJP workers protested at their respective party offices alleging money had played a game in distribution of tickets in many places.
