New Delhi, April 28: As West Bengal prepares for the second phase of its assembly elections, key issues such as law and order, the recent rape and murder case involving a doctor at RG Kar Medical College, and allegations of harassment in North 24 Parganas are back in the spotlight. Voters will cast their ballots on these pressing matters on Wednesday.
Opposition parties have consistently raised these incidents, accusing the Trinamool Congress of fostering an environment of violence, intimidation, and crimes against women during its 15 years in power.
Out of the 294 assembly seats in the state, voting has already taken place for 152 seats on April 23, while the remaining seats will be contested in the second phase on Wednesday.
All 11 assembly constituencies in Kolkata will see voting on Wednesday, including the Kashi Pur Belghoria seat, where RG Kar Medical College is located, as well as the Sandeshkhali seat.
Kashi Pur Belghoria has long been a stronghold for the Trinamool Congress. In the 2021 assembly elections, the Trinamool candidate defeated the BJP candidate by over 35,000 votes.
In Sandeshkhali, the Trinamool Congress ended a long-standing hold by left parties in 2016 and retained the seat in 2021 with a margin of approximately 39,700 votes.
The area gained attention in January 2024 when a team from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) investigating a ration scam was attacked. Trinamool leader Sheikh Shahjahan was implicated and later arrested in February 2024. Following this, women in the area reported incidents of sexual exploitation and abuse, escalating tensions further.
The opposition has accused the state government of protecting the accused and has called for an external investigation.
In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the Trinamool candidate won the Bashirhat seat, but in the Sandeshkhali assembly constituency, the BJP candidate received around 47.64% of the votes, with the Trinamool securing only an approximately 8,400-vote lead.
Additionally, the rape and murder of a 32-year-old intern doctor at RG Kar Medical College in August 2024 shocked the nation. The investigation was handed over to the CBI by a High Court order.
The victim’s mother is now contesting the elections as a BJP candidate from the Panihati assembly seat, with the BJP framing her candidacy as a symbol of justice and women’s safety.
Responses to her candidacy have been mixed; some view it as a courageous move, while others criticize it as politicizing the issue of justice.
Results for all constituencies, including Panihati, Kashi Pur Belghoria, and Sandeshkhali, will be announced on May 4.
My name is Narendra Jijhontiya. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including TECHNOLOGY, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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