Firhad Hakim Campaigns for TMC Candidate Pradip Sarkar in Kharagpur
Correspondent Ajay Chowdhury/14th April 2026
Kharagpur : As the elections come closer, senior Trinamool Congress leaders are visiting Kharagpur to campaign for TMC candidate Pradip Sarkar. On Monday evening, Kolkata Mayor and State Urban Development Minister Firhad Hakim addressed a rally at Eidgah Ground in Ward No. 3 at kharagpur in support of TMC candidate Pradip Sarkar.
During his speech, Firhad Hakim strongly criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP. He said former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee was loved and respected by people, but claimed that people are now afraid of and dislike Narendra Modi. He also compared Modi to “Gabbar Singh.”
Hakim also attacked the BJP and the Election Commission over alleged voter list irregularities. He said many people, especially from minority-dominated Wards No. 3 and 4 in Kharagpur, had their names removed from the voter list. He claimed that common people were being harassed and forced to stand in long queues day after day.
Speaking at the rally, Hakim said people had not faced such suffering since India became independent. He added that the BJP would have to answer for the problems faced by ordinary voters and for the deletion of names from the electoral rolls.
The TMC leader also raised the issue of migrant workers. He said that while the BJP claims that 40 lakh people from Bengal work in other states, it does not mention that around 1.5 crore people from other states are working in Bengal.
Hakim appealed to the people of Kharagpur to vote for Pradip Sarkar, calling him the city’s “homeboy.” He also took a dig at BJP candidate Dilip Ghosh, saying Ghosh had been upset after being sent to contest from Bardhaman but later changed his mood when asked by the Prime Minister to share sweets.
In response, BJP candidate Dilip Ghosh dismissed Hakim’s campaign. He said that even if Bobby Hakim visits every lane and corner of Kharagpur, it will not help the TMC. Ghosh claimed that even those walking with Hakim would finally vote for him.
The rally has added more heat to the election battle in Kharagpur, where political attacks over voter lists, migrant workers, and local support are becoming sharper as polling day approaches.
