Rekha Patra, the face of the Sandeshkhali movement, has been named as the BJP candidate for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls from Basirhat constituency in West Bengal. Patra, a resident of Patrapara area in Sandeshkhali, thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the opportunity and vowed to raise the voice for oppressed women.
Patra’s nomination comes after she led protests against alleged sexual violence by Trinamool Congress leaders in the area. Amit Malviya, BJP’s West Bengal co-incharge, highlighted Patra’s role in the movement, stating that the party stands with the women of Sandeshkhali and Bengal.
The sustained protests by women in Sandeshkhali led to the arrest of the now-suspended Trinamool Congress leader Sheikh Shahjahan, who was absconding for 56 days after allegedly planning an attack on ED and CAPF personnel. Trinamool Congress has fielded Hazi Nurul Islam from Basirhat constituency, replacing sitting MP Nusrat Jahan.
Despite the BJP’s move, neither Congress nor Left Front has announced any candidate from the Basirhat constituency yet. Patra’s nomination reflects a shift in political dynamics and highlights the importance of grassroots movements in shaping electoral choices in the region.
