- विज्ञापन -
Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is set to visit Sandeshkhali in the North 24 Parganas district today, marking her first trip since the sexual harassment allegations surfaced earlier this year.
Local women accused Sheikh Shahjahan, a suspended leader of the Trinamool Congress, along with his aides Shibu Prasad Hazra and Uttam Sardar, of sexual harassment and land grabbing. In response, Banerjee announced on December 26 that she would attend an official event in Sandeshkhali to distribute public service documents to 100 beneficiaries.
On Monday, a total of 20,000 documents will be distributed from various camps established for the occasion, according to Banerjee.
The Chief Minister’s visit is significant as it comes after widespread speculation about her reluctance to go to Sandeshkhali amidst the controversy. Political analysts anticipate that she may make important announcements during this visit.
The area gained attention on January 5 when a group of Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials and Central Armed Forces Personnel were attacked while attempting to raid Shahjahan’s residence as part of an investigation into a multi-crore ration distribution scandal in West Bengal. This incident prompted protests from locals whose land was allegedly seized by Shahjahan and from women who claimed to be victims of his harassment.
The Trinamool Congress has dismissed the harassment allegations as politically motivated, aimed at tarnishing the party’s image ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Conversely, the BJP has pointed to these allegations as evidence of the Trinamool’s misrule and mistreatment of women.
In the previous Lok Sabha elections, the Trinamool Congress secured the Basirhat seat, which includes the Sandeshkhali Assembly constituency. Shahjahan was arrested on February 29 after evading police for nearly two months.
Following the Chief Minister’s visit, BJP Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari has announced plans for a ‘Jana Sanjog Yatra’ in the area the day after her visit.
