Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 26 dialled BJP candidate from the Basirhat Lok Sabha seat, Rekha Patra, and described her as ‘Shakti Swaroopa’ (an embodiment of Shakti.)
In a telephone conversation that lasted for nearly 10 minutes, the Prime Minister lauded the courage of Ms. Patra who had raised her voice against local Trinamool Congress leaders, accused of sexual assault and land grab at Sandeshkhali in West Bengal.
Sandeshkhali village falls under the Basirhat Lok Sabha constituency.
Ms. Patra, who hails from Patrapara in Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas district, was at the forefront of the recent villagers’ agitation against local Trinamool leaders. She made a statement before a magistrate in February 2024 on the alleged atrocities committed by local Trinamool Congress leaders, which resulted in several arrests.
“You are going to play a big responsibility. How do you feel?“ the Prime Minister asked.
“I feel very good. Your hands are on my head and all women of Sandeshkhali. It is like we are blessed by Lord Ram,” Ms. Patra replied.
In the conversation, the BJP candidate said she will also work for the interests of the Trinamool Congress supporters, which was appreciated by the Prime Minister. “The BJP has done exemplary work by making you a candidate from what I am hearing from you. You have just entered politics and you are saying that you will also fight for those opposing you from Trinamool Congress. The whole country will be proud of you when they come to know about your views,” Mr. Modi said.
In the conversation that was made public by the BJP leadership, the Basirhat candidate said the villagers in Sandeshkhali had not been allowed to vote since 2011. The Prime Minister then said: “I am sure that your views will reach the Election Commission. This is sad and I am sure that the Election Commission will take note that you have not voted since 2021. This also speaks about the government in West Bengal.”
Mr. Modi also wanted to know how her candidature was taken by local BJP supporters, and said she has a responsibility not only to her constituency but also to all the mothers and sisters of the State who should be made aware of the schemes of the BJP government at the Centre.
In February, as protests raged across Sandeshkhali, Ms. Patra’s house was attacked allegedly by local Trinamool Congress leaders. The young woman, who is mother of two daughters, had to spend many nights in hiding.
The decision by the BJP to field Ms. Patra has come as a big surprise in the State’s political circles. Political observers are of the opinion that with her candidature, the BJP leadership has kept alive the Sandeshkhali agitation, which has emerged as an embarrassment to the Trinamool Congress. Basirhat, a constituency bordering Bangladesh, has a significant Muslim population and the Trinamool Congress has dropped actor Nushrat Jahan and fielded Haji Nurul Islam.
