Kolkata: Trinamool national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Sunday expressed confidence that Sandeshkhali would be the first of 33 assembly segments in North 24 Parganas to deliver a decisive victory for the party, as he addressed a large rally at Sarberia High School ground in support of Trinamool candidate Jharna Sardar.“If this enthusiasm translates into votes on April 29, Sandeshkhali will be the first to register victory and will also teach a lesson to traitors, migratory politicians and those who conspired to malign the region,” he said, describing himself as “deeply moved” by the turnout.Sandeshkhali is among the constituencies in the Basirhat organisational district where Trinamool has dropped all sitting MLAs, replacing three-time legislator Sukumar Mahato with Sardar — a decision that has sparked considerable political discussion.Mahato was present on the dais on Sunday, signalling organisational unity despite the change. In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Trinamool had trailed BJP by over 8,000 votes in the Sandeshkhali segment, though the party retained the Basirhat seat overall.Sandeshkhali had turned into a flashpoint ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls over allegations of land grabbing, atrocities against women and protests against influential local functionaries, including Sheikh Shahjahan.Banerjee alleged that “conspirators” had attempted to defame the area and the state in the run-up to those elections. “They tried to create unrest for months, but people here exposed and rejected them,” he said.The Diamond Harbour MP further claimed that over a hundred families had since recovered their land and resumed fish farming, and that those responsible had been arrested. “Our govt has acted with zero tolerance, irrespective of political affiliation,” he said.Banerjee also targeted BJP’s candidate from Sandeshkhali Sanat Sardar, calling him an “outsider” who had no connection with Sandeshkhali for over 15 years, and alleged that a family member had lodged an FIR against him for dowry harassment. He called for a winning margin of 50,000 votes for Jharna Sardar.
