Trinamool's Abhishek Banerjee Predicts Sandeshkhali Victory in West Bengal Assembly Polls
Trinamool Congress national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Sunday expressed strong confidence that Sandeshkhali will be the first of 33 assembly segments in North 24 Parganas district to deliver a decisive victory for the party in the upcoming West Bengal assembly elections.
Rally Address at Sarberia High School Ground
Addressing a large rally at Sarberia High School ground in support of Trinamool candidate Jharna Sardar, Banerjee described himself as "deeply moved" by the enthusiastic turnout. He stated that if this enthusiasm translates into votes on April 29, Sandeshkhali will not only register victory but also teach a lesson to what he called "traitors, migratory politicians, and those who conspired to malign the region."
Political Context and Candidate Changes
Sandeshkhali is among the constituencies in the Basirhat organisational district where Trinamool has dropped all sitting MLAs. The party has replaced three-time legislator Sukumar Mahato with Jharna Sardar, a decision that has sparked considerable political discussion across West Bengal. Notably, Mahato was present on the dais during Sunday's rally, signaling organisational unity despite the candidate change.
In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Trinamool had trailed BJP by over 8,000 votes in the Sandeshkhali segment, though the party retained the Basirhat parliamentary seat overall. This historical context adds significance to Banerjee's current predictions.
Addressing Past Controversies in Sandeshkhali
Sandeshkhali had turned into a major flashpoint ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls over allegations of:
- Land grabbing
- Atrocities against women
- Protests against influential local functionaries including Sheikh Shahjahan
Banerjee alleged that "conspirators" had attempted to defame the area and the state in the run-up to those elections. "They tried to create unrest for months, but people here exposed and rejected them," he asserted during his address.
Government Actions and Recovery Efforts
The Diamond Harbour MP further claimed significant progress in addressing past issues:
- Over a hundred families have recovered their land
- Many have resumed fish farming activities
- Those responsible for alleged wrongdoings have been arrested
"Our government has acted with zero tolerance, irrespective of political affiliation," Banerjee emphasized, highlighting the administration's response to the controversies.
Targeting BJP's Candidate
Banerjee also targeted BJP's candidate from Sandeshkhali, Sanat Sardar, calling him an "outsider" who had no connection with Sandeshkhali for over 15 years. He further alleged that a family member had lodged an FIR against Sanat Sardar for dowry harassment, though these claims require independent verification.
Concluding his address, Banerjee called for a winning margin of 50,000 votes for Trinamool candidate Jharna Sardar, setting ambitious expectations for the upcoming electoral contest in this politically significant constituency.
