CPI(M) veteran faces ire of people on own turf

Kolkata: Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya, the CPI(M) candidate contesting the election from Jadavpur Lok Sabha constituency, had to face an unprecedented agitation by the people on his own turf on Sunday morning.

For Bhattacharya, the day began with a poignant mood as a large number of voters staged protest demonstration at Bhangar in South 24-Parganas. In the morning he went to Maricha village of Bhangar block I during his election rally, where he had to face the wrath of the villagers. It may be mentioned here that Bhangar is known to be a stronghold of Trinamool Congress.

The villagers asked Bhattacharya as to why he had visited the place during the election. They also said that the Bengal government under the leadership of the Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has carried out a host of development schemes, while the erstwhile Left Front government did little for the people.

"Your government, in all its 34 years, failed to match what Didi (Banerjee) has done in the past eight years. How have you come here to seek votes? The daughters of poor families are getting married only because of our Chief Minister. Did your government ever spare a thought to start any such project?" questioned the irate villagers.

Bhattacharya has, however, brought a counter allegation against the local Trinamool Congress activists, saying that flags with CPI(M) symbol which were put up at various places in Bhangar, were removed by TMC workers.

While holding the election rally in the morning, he went to the house of a Trinamool Congress supporter, who he believed was involved in the incident. As the TMC worker was away from home, Bhattacharya urged his family members not to indulge in such acts. He also talked to some Trinamool Congress supporters in the village. He also reminded that if such incidents are repeated, the situation may turn worse.