BJP has fielded ‘rejected’ and ‘controversial’ face: Abhishek

Kolkata: Questioning the BJP’s candidate in Taldangra, Trinamool Congress national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Thursday alleged that the opposition has fielded a “rejected” and controversial face, while urging voters to back party nominee Falguni Singhababu.

Addressing a packed rally at Biborda College ground, Banerjee said the BJP candidate was earlier expelled from the Trinamool student wing and later joined the saffron party. He further claimed that several FIRs, including serious allegations such as attempt to murder and misconduct, have been registered against the candidate. Framing the choice before voters, he said it was between “a teacher dedicated to public service” and “a person facing multiple accusations.”

Seeking to reinforce the party’s development plank, Banerjee listed a series of welfare initiatives undertaken in the Constituency.

He highlighted infrastructure upgrades, including improvements at Taldangra Rural Hospital, construction of an ITI college at Simlapal and river embankment projects worth over Rs 4.6 crore. He also pointed to the ‘Jol Swapno’ scheme, under which nearly 40,000 residents have received piped drinking water.

Detailing social welfare outreach, he said over 14,000 beneficiaries receive pensions under Jai Bangla, while thousands more benefit from widow allowances and health centres across panchayats.

He added that 73,000 women in the Constituency receive assistance under ‘Lakshmir Bhandar’, alongside benefits from schemes like ‘Krishak Bandhu’, ‘Kanyashree’ and ‘Yuva Sathi’.

Banerjee also challenged the BJP to present its “report card” of development, asserting that the Trinamool government has continued welfare work despite alleged central fund constraints.

He reiterated key electoral promises, including expansion of healthcare camps, housing for all eligible families and assured continuation of financial assistance schemes.

Later in the day, at a workers’ meeting in East Midnapore, Abhishek Banerjee focused on evaluating organisational performance at the grassroots, making it clear that accountability will be a key factor ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.

He indicated that leaders and workers will be assessed based on their booth-level effectiveness, public connect and contribution to strengthening the party’s presence on the ground, signalling a performance-driven approach in candidate selection and organisational restructuring.