News Mania Desk/ Agnibeena Ghosh/15th June 2024
The All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) has officially announced its candidates for the upcoming by-elections to the West Bengal assembly, scheduled for July 10. This strategic move comes as part of the party’s efforts to maintain and expand its influence in key constituencies across the state.
In a press release on Friday, TMC named Krishna Kalyani for the Raiganj constituency, Mukut Mani Adhikari for the Ranaghat-Dakshin constituency, Supti Pandey for the Maniktala constituency, and Madhuparna Thakur for the Bagdah constituency. These selections reflect the party’s focus on experienced and locally recognized figures to represent their constituencies effectively.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) announced earlier this week that by-elections will take place on July 10 in 13 Assembly constituencies across the country, including four critical seats in West Bengal.
In a notable development, three of the four Assembly constituencies in Bengal—Raiganj, Ranaghat-Dakshin, and Bagdah—saw BJP MLAs switching allegiance to TMC, only to face defeat in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections. This political shift underscores the dynamic and competitive nature of West Bengal’s political landscape.
In Raiganj, Krishna Kalyani, who transitioned from BJP to TMC, is now the TMC candidate despite his loss to BJP’s Karthik Paul in the Lok Sabha polls. Kalyani’s inclusion in the candidate list signals TMC’s commitment to leveraging his local influence and voter base.
Mukut Mani Adhikari, another BJP MLA who joined TMC just before the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections, is the candidate for the Ranaghat-Dakshin seat. Adhikari, however, was defeated by BJP’s sitting MP, Jagannath Sarkar, in the Lok Sabha elections. TMC’s decision to field Adhikari again highlights their confidence in his potential to secure the constituency for the party.
The Bagdah constituency sees Madhuparna Thakur as the TMC candidate. Biswajit Das, the former TMC member who became a BJP candidate ahead of the 2021 Assembly elections, rejoined TMC after his election from Bagdah. Das lost to BJP’s Shantanu Thakur in the Bongaon constituency during the Lok Sabha elections. The selection of Madhuparna Thakur aims to capitalize on the local support and address the constituency’s needs effectively.
The fourth by-election will be held in the Maniktala constituency, which has been vacant following the unfortunate demise of TMC veteran and Minister Sadhan Pandey. Supti Pandey, the widow of Sadhan Pandey, has been nominated as the TMC candidate for Maniktala. Her candidacy is seen as a continuation of her late husband’s legacy and an effort to maintain the party’s stronghold in the area.
The announcement of these candidates underscores TMC’s strategic approach to the by-elections, focusing on individuals with strong local ties and a proven track record. The party’s leadership is confident that these candidates will resonate well with the electorate and secure victories in their respective constituencies.
The by-elections are crucial for TMC, especially as they come after significant political shifts and the party’s need to reaffirm its dominance in West Bengal. The selected candidates reflect TMC’s commitment to addressing local issues and maintaining its developmental agenda.
Political analysts observe that TMC’s candidate announcement is a calculated move to strengthen its position and counteract the gains made by the BJP in the state. The upcoming by-elections will be a critical test of TMC’s electoral strategy and its ability to connect with voters at the grassroots level.
As the by-elections approach, TMC’s campaign is expected to intensify, highlighting the party’s achievements and future plans. The party aims to reassure voters of its commitment to their welfare and the development of West Bengal.
In conclusion, TMC’s announcement of candidates for the West Bengal legislative by-elections reflects a well-planned strategy to retain and strengthen its political influence. By fielding experienced and locally respected candidates, TMC aims to secure key constituencies and reinforce its leadership in the state. The by-elections on July 10 will be a significant event, determining the future political landscape of West Bengal.
