Falta: BJP state president Shamik Bhattacharya on Saturday launched a sharp political attack on the Trinamool Congress while campaigning in Falta, but not before publicly inviting Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee to join the bypoll battle. Addressing a rally in support of BJP candidate Debangshu Panda ahead of the May 21 election, Shamik mixed sarcasm, political messaging and minority outreach in a speech that quickly drew attention across Bengal politics.
The remarks came barely 24 hours after Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari visited Falta and warned Trinamool candidate Jahangir Khan on his home turf in Diamond Harbour district. Taking the campaign further, Shamik questioned why senior Trinamool leaders were staying away from the bypoll campaign despite the constituency being considered one of Abhishek Banerjee’s strongest political zones.
In a mocking yet dramatic appeal, the BJP leader said Abhishek should come to Falta and campaign openly. He claimed BJP workers and district leaders would welcome him with flowers and traditional conch shells. Referring to the Trinamool national general secretary directly, Shamik remarked, “We miss you. Come and fill your seat, hero.”
Abhishek had secured a lead of more than one lakh votes from the Falta Assembly segment during the last Lok Sabha election. Trinamool leaders credit Jahangir Khan, considered close to Abhishek, as one of the key organisers behind that performance. This time too, Jahangir is contesting from the same seat.
Shamik alleged that after the party’s recent political setbacks in Bengal, senior Trinamool leaders have stopped campaigning aggressively for their candidates. Without naming specific leaders, he said those who once made loud political threats are now staying indoors and only “practising battles in their minds.”
The BJP leader also reached out to minority communities during his speech. He said Muslims in Bengal should consider India their own country and assured them that the BJP stands with them. At the same time, he warned against individuals allegedly trying to create fear or intimidation in the region.
In another pointed remark, Shamik said people should remember that the state now has Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, elected by people through the BJP symbol. He further warned that BJP workers would respond strongly if provoked politically.
Accusing the Trinamool Congress of attacking BJP workers during previous Lok Sabha and Panchayat elections across South 24 Parganas, Shamik claimed BJP cadres continued to fight despite pressure and violence. He also said Trinamool workers are now largely absent from the ground campaign in Falta.
The BJP state president attempted to project a softer political line by saying Trinamool leaders and supporters could campaign freely without fear of attacks from BJP workers. He invited them to hold rallies, processions and public meetings openly.
Shamik also asserted that the Trinamool Congress would not return to power in Bengal despite any political turnaround. In a lighter but pointed political analogy, he remarked that impossible things could happen before Trinamool regained control of the state.
Focusing on employment, he promised that South 24 Parganas would no longer remain a district dependent on migrant labour. According to him, the BJP government would create local job opportunities so that people would not need to leave Bengal in search of work.
Clarifying his own political role, Shamik said he does not interfere in government administration or police functioning. He added that unlike previous political practices, BJP leaders would not pressure police officers or run “parallel governments” through local influence. He concluded by saying the Chief Minister is working continuously to fulfil promises made to the people.
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