The Krishnanagar Lok Sabha seat in West Bengal has emerged as a fiercely contested battleground in the ongoing Lok Sabha election, featuring a triangular contest among three formidable candidates: Mahua Moitra of the Trinamool Congress, Amrita Roy of the BJP, and S.M. Sadi of the CPI(M)-Congress alliance.
Moitra, a former MP from this seat, was expelled from Parliament over cash-for-query allegations and is now seeking re-election. She faces a formidable challenge from Roy, the daughter-in-law of the royal family of Krishnanagar, who enjoys strong local support and the backing of the BJP’s organizational machinery.
However, the contest is not merely a two-way race, as Sadi’s presence as a third candidate has the potential to disrupt the dynamics. In the 2019 elections, when the CPI(M) and Congress fought separately, they collectively garnered a significant vote share. Sadi, who represents the Palashipara Assembly segment, has a strong connect with the Muslim population in the constituency, which could potentially sway votes away from the Trinamool.
The BJP is hoping to capitalize on this three-way split, particularly by targeting Muslim voters. The party’s state unit vice-president, Sadhan Ghosh, has emphasized the need to defeat Moitra, citing the cash-for-query incident and her subsequent expulsion from Parliament. The BJP is also trying to capitalize on the perceived gap between Moitra and the Trinamool’s local party workers, who have expressed concerns about her individualistic campaigning style.
Moitra, for her part, has focused her campaign on roadshows in gram panchayat areas, while the Trinamool has officially expressed confidence in her victory. However, the party’s Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, has campaigned for Moitra on multiple occasions, highlighting the importance of the seat for the Trinamool.
As the campaign intensifies, the contest in Krishnanagar remains a closely watched battle, with all three candidates vying for victory in one of the most keenly contested constituencies in West Bengal.
