Lok Sabha Election 2024: BJP fields Sandeshkhali Survivor, Rekha Patra, Posters against her appear

Handwritten posters have emerged in select areas of Bengal’s Sandeshkhali, condemning the BJP’s Lok Sabha candidate Rekha Patra, purportedly a victim of mistreatment by arrested and suspended Trinamool leader Shajahan Sheikh and his cohorts.

The BJP ascribed these posters to the TMC, although the ruling party of the state refuted the accusation.

Despite not officially joining the BJP, Ms. Patra was nominated for the Basirhat Lok Sabha constituency, which includes Sandeshkhali.

Posters with messages like “We don’t want Rekha as a candidate” and “We don’t want Rekha Patra as BJP candidate” surfaced today, subsequent to her nomination announcement.

A local BJP representative remarked, “The posters are not ours. The Trinamool Congress has orchestrated this for political gains,” whereas the TMC denied any involvement.

Certain local women expressed contentment with Ms. Patra’s candidacy, with one stating, “We haven’t had an MP from our village before. Now we may have one.”

Ms. Patra actively participated in protests in Sandeshkhali and lodged a complaint leading to the arrest of Shibu Hazra, a local influential figure and an associate of Shajahan Sheikh.

She reportedly joined a group that met Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his public address in Barasat on March 6, highlighting the challenges faced by women.

Amit Malviya, the BJP’s Bengal co-incharge, emphasized, “Let Mamata Banerjee address the grievances of women like her, who silently suffer, before seeking their votes.”

Sandeshkhali, situated in the North 24 Parganas district, witnessed turmoil due to allegations of sexual violence against women and land encroachments by Sheikh and his associates.

Last month, Sheikh was arrested by state police for assaulting Enforcement Directorate officers on January 5. The case is now being investigated by the CBI, with Sheikh currently in the agency’s custody.