TMC hopes for turnaround in Kaliyaganj bypoll today

Darjeeling: Armed with anti-NRC and anti-Citizen Amendment Bill assurances, Trinamool Congress is looking for a turnaround by bagging the Kaliyaganj bypolls in North Bengal. The Assembly in the Raiganj Parliamentary constituency in Uttar Dinajpur district will be going to polls on Monday.

Though the Lok Sabha election results went in favour of BJP, the fear and uncertainty over NRC and CAB is expected to work in favour of Trinamool, feel political observers.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has been constantly assuring the masses that under no circumstances will her party allow NRC and CAB in Bengal. On the other hand, Union Home minister Amit Shah has been staring that NRC will be implemented in all the states of the country.

The demography of Uttar Dinajpur consists of Hindus including migrant Hindus from Bangladesh, Muslims and Tribals, mainly Rajbangshis.

Political observers opine that BJP has been targeting the Hindu population with the NRC and CAB narrative.

BJP candidate Kamal Sarkar stated that illegal migration is a major problem in the region. As per current records while the population growth in State has been recorded at 13.8%, Uttar Dinajpur has recorded a growth of 23.2%.

Countering this Trinamool candidate Tapan Deb Singha said: "Everybody knows the fate of Hindus in Assam. More than 12 lakh Hindus including Bengalis have been left out. Their future is hanging on a thin line." It may be mentioned that there has been widespread panic over NRC in North Bengal, including multiple deaths.

Raiganj was earlier a Congress bastion under the leadership of Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi. The party has fielded Dhitasree Roy, who is banking on the reputation of her father and 3-time MLA Pramathanath Roy.

All the parties have been rallying heavyweights to woo the voters ahead of the bypoll. Trinamool took out a mega rally on Saturday, with popular actor Dev as the face of the campaign.

"People will not buy BJP's divisive brand of politics anymore. The present economic crisis in the country and unchecked inflation has also emerged as an eye-opener for all," added Singha.

Trinamool is also banking on political advisor Prashant Kishor and his I-PAC team which had recently visited Kaliyaganj and after a detailed survey, had advised the party to concentrate on the grassroot level.

The local leaders have been acting accordingly and have been constantly approaching the grassroot masses.