Kolkata, March 31 (IANS) Hooghly Lok Sabha constituency in West Bengal is witnessing a clash between two celebrity candidates, with one making bizarre poll promises and wacky observations on the constituency’s nature, while the other mocks with satire.
In the electoral battle, the spotlight is on Trinamool Congress candidate Rachana Banerjee and BJP’s Locket Chatterjee, a yesteryear film-star and sitting MP from the constituency.
During her campaign, Banerjee talked about her diet, saying, “I am having coconut water on a regular basis. I have been trying to concentrate mainly on a boiled and light diet. I will concentrate on self-care after two months when the elections are over.”
Chatterjee, on the other hand, commented on Banerjee’s ways to beat the heat, saying, “Let anyone consume coconut water or milk what she desires. I am satisfied with puffed or fermented rice.”
Banerjee’s observation about the quality of traditional Bengali yogurt in Hooghly went viral, where she mentioned, “As I can see, in Hooghly, the growth of thick and long grasses is very high. The cows feed on those naturally-grown grasses, resulting in good quality milk and tasty yogurt.”
Responding to this, Chatterjee brought up the almost-finished factory of Tata Motors Limited blown up by the state government, saying, “The place where Banerjee sees the rich growth of grass was the site of the almost-finished Tata Motors factory blown up by the state government.”
Banerjee made a bizarre poll promise, stating that women from Hooghly LS seat will get preference in appearing on the reality show ‘Didi No. 1’, where she is the anchor. Chatterjee criticized this, saying, “Life is not a reality show. The people of Hooghly want industry and employment.”
Banerjee’s candidature has been surrounded by controversy since it was announced, with her doubting the “real identity” of women at Sandeshkhali protesting against alleged sexual harassment by local Trinamool Congress leaders.
