Abhishek urges youths to vote 'in favour of Bengal'

Kolkata: The Trinamool Congress on Saturday released a new song titled Prothom Vote targeted towards first-time voters, on all its social media platforms. The song comes on the heels of the phenomenal response to the party's first theme song Maa Mati Manush that was released a few days ago for the Lok Sabha elections.

The catchline of the new song Tomar Prothom Vote Banglar Pokkhe Na Bipokkhe, Decision Nao (Take a decision whether your first vote will

be in favour of Bengal or not) has been penned by Trina-mool Youth Congress president and party MP Abhishek Banerjee.

The rest of the lyrics has been written by Bengali rock singer Rupam Islam, who has also composed the music. Interestingly, the video follows the international lyric format, in which animated words appear on screen.

The song carries the message that the Lok Sabha elections 2019 will be a significant event in the history of India. It reiterates that when the entire country is in turmoil because of hate and violence, an atmosphere of peace and harmony thrives in Bengal.

As depicted through the song, development and not divisive politics gets an upper hand in the state. It states that 60 lakh girls have been empowered by Kanyashree. The scheme, along with Utkarsh Bangla and Sabuj Sathi, has received international recognition.

It presents a picture of contrast regarding the employment scenario in Bengal and the country. While unemployment is on the rise across the country, in Bengal youths are being empowered to become self-dependent through schemes likes Gatidhara. The Silicon Valley Hub which is coming up at Rajarhat, is also set to open new avenues of employment generation.

"We have urged the first-time voters to 'take a decision'. Will their vote be in favour of or against Bengal? It is entirely their own discretion. This song makes it easier for them by putting things in perspective. Let their first-vote (prothom vote) be in favour of peace and progress. Let it be in Bengal and India's favour," a Trinamool youth leader said.

The song assumes special significance as Bengal, with over 20 lakh voters, has the highest number of electors in the 18-19 age group in terms of names registered in the 2019 electoral rolls of the Election Commission of India before the Lok Sabha polls.

Murshidabad, with more than 2 lakh names, records the highest registration of teen voters in the state, followed by South and North 24-Parganas and Nadia. The young voters are expected to play a pivotal role in the electoral process.

TMC is confident that the song will be able to strike a chord with the young voters, who will cast their first vote (prothom vote).

Abhishek Banerjee has appealed to the young generation to popularise the song

over the course of the next month, through dance, videos, flash mobs, or any other way they want.