Advertisement
In a significant move ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has chosen Rekha Patra, a survivor of the Sandeshkhali violence, as its candidate for the Basirhat constituency in West Bengal. Patra, who played a pivotal role in seeking justice for the victims of Sandeshkhali, expressed gratitude to PM Modi for her candidature and pledged to advocate for the rights of those affected by the tragedy.
#WATCH | BJP releases 5th list of candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections; BJP announces Rekha Patra's name from Basirhat.
On her candidature from Basirhat, Rekha Patra says, "I want to thank PM Modi for the candidature (from Basirhat for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls). I… https://t.co/75M1KsGEWe pic.twitter.com/mPrcblcsZc
— ANI (@ANI) March 24, 2024
Meanwhile, responding to the Sandeshkhali controversy, the Trinamool Congress has replaced MP Nusrat Jahan with Nurul Islam as its candidate for the Basirhat Lok Sabha seat.
Rekha Patra, previously a housewife with minimal political involvement, rose to prominence for her activism against alleged sexual violence in Sandeshkhali. Her efforts led to the expulsion and arrest of key perpetrators, including TMC MLA Sheikh Shahjahan and others.
BJP’s latest announcement includes 19 candidates from West Bengal, with notable mentions like Justice Abhijit Ganguly and Tapas Roy contesting from Tamluk and Kolkata Uttar constituencies, respectively.
The Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal are scheduled in seven phases, starting from April 19 and concluding on June 1, with vote counting on June 4. This electoral battleground is poised for a significant political showdown, with both TMC and BJP vying for supremacy.
