Lakshmi Ratan Shukla files nomination

Cricketer turned politician Lakshmi Ratan Shukla and his heavyweight colleague Jyotipriyo Mallick filed their nominations on Monday.   

Shukla is the Trinamool Congress candidate from Howrah North Assembly constituency and Mallick is contesting from Habra Assembly constituency in North 24-Parganas. 

Elections in both the seats are scheduled to be on April 25 and the filing of nomination had begun on April 1.   

Shukla submitted the nomination paper at around 11 am.on Monday. Many senior leaders of Trinamool Congress from Howrah including the party’s district president and candidate from Howrah Central Assembly constituency Arup Roy was accompanying Shukla. Besides Roy, the Deputy Mayor of Howrah Municipal Corporation Minati Adhikary was also present. 

Shukla said, after filing the nomination, that he filed the nomination as his father had asked him to do so. 

“I am confident that I will win the election. I have learnt while playing cricket that there is no alternative to hard work. All party workers from North Howrah are working hard for the election. 

“Thus, it is quite sure that Trinamool Congress will not only retain the seat but the margin will go up,” he said. 

Actor turned politician Rupa Ganguly of BJP and Santosh Pathak of Congress are contesting against Shukla. 

When asked whether these two candidates will be any factor in the constituency, he said that Trinamool Congress leaders and party workers have worked for the people round the year. So there is nothing to worry.

Mallick, the Trinamool Congress candidate from Habra Assembly constituency, said that he filed the nomination this morning as his astrologer had asked him to file it before11.40 am on April 4 as the time was auspicious. 

He further said that the people have witnessed development in the state. So Trinamool Congress is expected to perform exceptionally in these Assembly elections.