Krishnanagar in Nadia district of West Bengal holds a significant place in the country’s ‘pollscape’. It is one of the Lok Sabha seats out of 42 parliamentary constituencies in the state.
Since its inception in 1967, Krishnanagar has played a primary role in shifting the power dynamics of West Bengal. The political ideologies have also shifted over the years. The seat was once known as the stronghold of the Communist Party of India (Marxists) for nearly 10 consecutive terms. In present times, it has become the centre of attraction with Trinamool Congress’s firebrand Mahua Moitra being the representative of Krishnanagar in the Parliament.
Emergence of CPI(M), BJP & TMC
The dominance of CPI(M) in Krishnanagar came to an end in 1999 with the Bharatiya Janata Party’s candidate Satyabrata Mookherjee winning the seat. Mookherjee ushered in a new era of politics in Krishnanagar. With a background in law and international education, he served as the Additional Solicitor General of India even before he was elected.
In 2004, the seat was reclaimed by CPI(M) with Jyotirmoyee Sikdar winning from seat. Sikdar was a notable sports personality. Since then, the prominence of TMC started to gain momentum in the area and in 2009 Tapas Paul, actor-turned-politician, kickstarted the era of TMC from the Lok Sabha seat. Since then the seat has become the stronghold of TMC with its candidates winning the elections.
At present, sitting MP Mahua Moitra has been nominated by the party who was an investment banker. Although she was nominated from the seat for the first time in 2019, Moitra believes that she will restore victory this time too. This will be her befitting reply to those who orchestrated her expulsion as a parliamentarian. In 2019, she stormed to power by defeating BJP’s Kalyan Chaubey.
Contest between TMC & BJP
With CPI(M) losing its grip on West Bengal after 2011 when CM Mamata Banerjee became the chief minister standing tall on her campaign call of ‘paribartan’, the seat has been held by the TMC in general polls. In 2024, it is difficult to suggest who will restore the seat— TMC or BJP. Two high-profile candidates are contesting from the seat— Moitra and Amrita Roy.
While Moitra’s profile is known to all given her calibre to make headlines either with her high-octane speech in the Parliament or objectionable remark on media personnel or her confrontation with the probe agencies, BJP’s candidate leaves one perplexed.
Amrita, who is contesting on BJP’s ticket from Krishnanagar, is a member of the royal family of the constituency. She was married into the family of Maharaja Krishnachandra, who ruled Krishnanagar from 1728 to 1783, that is, for 55 years. Amrita is the spouse of the 39th descendent of Maharaja Krishnachandra. Hence, she is referred as ‘Rajmata’, her husband’s name is Soumish Chandra Roy. Rajmata is a fashion designer by profession and has just entered into politics. Yet, her connection with the royal family is being considered as a possible game-changer for the BJP.
Maharaja Krishnachandra is being accused by the TMC to side with the Britishers during the battle of Plassey in 1757. Thus, the battle in Krishnanagar is being sold as a one between nationalist and anti-nationalist.
Demography of Krishnanagar
Caste definitely has a primary role to play in the electoral battle of India. In Krishnanagar, nearly 90 per cent of the voters are from rural background. The Hindus are more in percentage holding 55 per cent and Muslims are 35 per cent. Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe, too, hold a significant place in the demography of the Lok Sabha seat. The Matuas that come under the religious category of Namasudras or Dalits, too, have the potential to shift the mandate. The BJP leaders have always targeted this section of people. CM Mamata Banerjee too kickstarted her poll campaign from Krishnanagar with an aim to gain support of the lower caste.
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