West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is set to step foot in Sandeshkhali today, her first appearance since the area was engulfed in protests over allegations of sexual harassment and land grabbing involving local Trinamool Congress leaders earlier this year.
The visit, officially a government programme, aims to distribute welfare benefits under schemes such as ‘Lakshmir Bhandar’ and ‘Banglar Bari’.
Addressing mediapersons last week, Banerjee stated, “This will be a government programme. Around 20,000 beneficiaries will receive aid from various state-run schemes. I hope to hand over certificates to around 100 people from the stage.”
The riverine island in the Sundarbans gained notoriety in January when the Enforcement Directorate (ED) faced violent resistance while probing a multi-crore ration distribution scam linked to local TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan.
Allegations of sexual harassment and land grabbing soon followed, sparking widespread outrage. Women in Sandeshkhali accused Shahjahan and his associates of exploiting their power for personal gains.
The TMC supremo dismissed the allegations as a conspiracy orchestrated by the BJP, ED, and sections of the media. However, the political heat intensified, forcing Shahjahan’s suspension from the party and eventual arrest after a 55-day manhunt.
Banerjee emphasised that her visit aligns with commitments made during the Lok Sabha elections. “People had asked me before the elections whether I would visit Sandeshkhali. I had assured them I would,” she said.
The BJP has seized the opportunity to stage its counter-event. Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari announced a ‘Jana Sanjog Yatra’ tomorrow to engage with locals and present the party’s vision. Adhikari’s efforts are expected to intensify the ongoing political clash between the ruling TMC and the BJP, which has sought to hold the state government accountable for alleged failures in governance.
In January’s turmoil, the BJP demanded swift action against Shahjahan. Despite the scandal, TMC veteran Haji Nurul Islam retained the Basirhat Lok Sabha seat, which encompasses Sandeshkhali, defeating BJP’s Rekha Patra by a wide margin.
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