BJP's Nandigram masterstroke: Why Hasirani Rath's candidacy changes the game
Her nomination adds an emotional edge to the multi-cornered contest, combining a personal tragedy with the constituency's broader political symbolism
The BJP's nomination of Hasirani Rath, mother of murdered worker Chandranath Rath, for the Nandigram seat is considered a strategic masterstroke, injecting an emotional narrative into the election. Rath herself possesses substantial political experience. The constituency is witnessing a fierce multi-cornered contest involving multiple political factions and parties.
The BJP's nomination of Hasirani Rath, mother of murdered worker Chandranath Rath, for the Nandigram seat is considered a strategic masterstroke, injecting an emotional narrative into the election. Rath herself possesses substantial political experience. The constituency is witnessing a fierce multi-cornered contest involving multiple political factions and parties.
The BJP's nomination of Hasirani Rath, mother of murdered worker Chandranath Rath, for the Nandigram seat is considered a strategic masterstroke, injecting an emotional narrative into the election. Rath herself possesses substantial political experience. The constituency is witnessing a fierce multi-cornered contest involving multiple political factions and parties.
The BJP’s decision to field Hasirani Rath, mother of slain BJP worker Chandranath Rath, is being considered by political analysts as a masterstroke from the saffron party, which ensured the constituency witnessed a high-voltage fight.
Chandranath Rath was a close aide of Adhikari when he was shot dead by miscreants. The CBI is investigating the brutal murder, which happened when he was travelling in a car at Madhyamgram on May 6. Chandranath was fired at by motorcycle-borne assailants. He died after being taken to hospital, while the driver was injured.
The party capped speculations on Tuesday by announcing her name as the candidate for Nandigram. Hasirani was earlier spotted offering prayers at the Siddheshwar Shiv Temple and Jankinath Temple there before the BJP formally announced her name.
The BJP has also announced former Murshidabad district president Sakharav Sarkar as the candidate from Rejinagar assembly seat.
Many consider the BJP move in Nandigram as a masterstroke. By nominating Hasirani, the BJP has given the fight an emotional edge. It has also combined the personal narrative surrounding Chandranath's killing with the constituency's larger political symbolism by fielding Hasirani.
Besides the emotional angle, Hasirani Rath is not a political novice. She has been active in politics since 1998 and has served twice as a panchayat member and three times as a panchayat samiti member. "Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari is the guardian of our family," she had said, adding that she would discharge any responsibility entrusted to her by the party with sincerity.
The two constituencies are witnessing a multi-cornered contest, with the BJP fighting not only the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC, bt also the rebel faction. Congress and the Left are also in the fray.
The Mamata Banerjee-led TMC faction has nominated Sanchita Pradhan Dey in Nandigram and former MLA Rabiul Alam Chowdhury in Rejinagar. The rebel TMC faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee has fielded Mohammad Eteshamul Haque and Safiuzzaman Sheikh, respectively.
The Congress has nominated Milan Pradhan in Nandigram and Abdullahil Kafi in Rejinagar, while the Left has fielded CPI's Shantigopal Giri and CPI(M)'s Syeed Asad Ali. RSP, which disagreed with the CPI(M) over seat-sharing, is contesting Rejinagar separately with Bikash Chandra Mishra as its nominee.