Left Front and Congress leaders on Tuesday jointly organised a mega rally in Behala East and Behala West Assembly constituencies against two heavyweight Trinamul Congress candidates Sovan Chatterjee a
Left Front and Congress leaders on Tuesday jointly organised a mega rally in Behala East and Behala West Assembly constituencies against two heavyweight Trinamul Congress candidates Sovan Chatterjee and Partha Chatterjee.
Sovan is the mayor of Kolkata and Partha state education minister. CPI(M) state secretary Surjyakanta Mishra, Congress leader Omprakash Mishra and people from all walks of life participated in a long padayatra which began from Kabardanga and culminated at Nepalganj.
The joint padayatra was taken out to seek vote for Left Front candidate in Behala West Kaustav Chatterjee as well as independent candidate Prof. Ambikesh Mahapatra.
A Jadavpur University professor, Mahapatra was arrested for sharing a cartoon about chief minister Mamata Banerjee in 2012. He was later instrumental in setting up an organisation called “Akranta Amra” (We the oppressed), which provided a platform to all those who had been at the receiving end of the state oppression or the TMC’s atrocities.
The Left Front and Congress agreed to not field a candidate in Behala East and instead extend full support to Prof. Mahapatra. The huge banner which accompanied the rally said: “Left democratic and secular people’s alliance supported Akranta Amra candidate Ambikesh Mahapatra.”
When asked how could a professor with no experience of politics take on heavyweight mayor, Mr Mishra said the people were with their candidate. “They are heavyweight because they are loaded with money,” he said.
This was a reference to the Narada sting video footage wherein mayor Chatterjee is seen taking the bundles of notes and wrapping it in a towel.
Mr Mishra said the Election Commission must take responsibility and ensure that lakhs that TMC leaders were caught on camera accepting as bribe must not be used in the election.
“I have faith in the court of the people to do justice. The people must reject these thieves,” he added.
