Mithun Chakraborty

West Bengal polls: Mithun Chakraborty’s name missing as BJP releases list of 13 candidates

Meanwhile, the TMC has approached the Election Commission claiming that Suvendu Adhikari is hiring criminals in Nandigram to cause troubles

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has released a list of candidates for the upcoming West Bengal elections on Tuesday. However, former MP and actor Mithun Chakraborty’s name is missing from the list.

Mithun recently joined the party at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Brigade ground rally in West Bengal. Reportedly, many believed that the BJP would field Mithun from the Rashbehari seat, however, BJP has instead fielded retired Lieutenant General Subrata Saha from that seat. The yesteryear actor and ‘Disco Dancer’ has registered himself as a voter in north Kolkata recently.

Meanwhile, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) has approached the Election Commission (EC) climaing that BJP candidate Suvnedu Adhikari is “hiring criminals and anti-social elements” to cause trouble in Nandigram.

In a letter to the Commission, TMC has claimed Suvendu is sheltering criminals who are non-residents of Nandigram. “It has come to our knowledge that Nandigram BJP candidate Suvendu Adhikari is harbouring criminals, who are non-residents of Nandigram. We request you to immediately intervene and apprehend all the outside anti-social elements,” the letter said.

TMC went on to allege that Suvendu has sheltered criminals in four locations and that the BJP have brought these men from neighbouring districts. TMC said that at least 30-40 men are residing in a two-storeyed house located near Nandigram. The Bengal party has alleged that Suvendu has frequented some of these locations. TMC are also claiming that these men are roaming around on motorcycles and are harassing locals.

Nandigram is one of the key areas in the upcoming election as West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will take on her former protégé Suvendu in the upcoming West Bengal Assembly election. Suvendu had earlier claimed that he would defeat Mamata by 50,000 votes.

Meanwhile, Mamata has accused the BJP of making false promises ahead of the polls. The West Bengal Chief Minister reminded the public of BJP’s earliest promise during the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

“I want to ask those who cast their vote last time: Has the BJP transferred Rs 15 lakh to each account,” she asked, referring to Modi’s 2014 election promise that the BJP will bring back black money and deposit Rs 15 lakh in every citizen’s bank account. Mamata continued, “During election time, BJP will come and take your vote by making false promises that they will give you rice and dal.” While the BJP promised 33% job reservation for women in its election manifesto, Mamata said that the TMC has already provided 50% reservation to women in village, municipality and panchayats.