Kolkata, 21 March (H.S.): Political tensions escalated in Kharagpur on Saturday after BJP candidate Dilip Ghosh launched a sharp attack on his Trinamool Congress rival Pradip Sarkar, accusing him of obstructing development in the city.

Speaking to reporters, Ghosh described Sarkar as a “speed breaker” to development and alleged that several development projects were stalled during Sarkar’s tenure as chairman of the Kharagpur Municipality. He further claimed that Sarkar had written to the district administration urging that no projects funded under the MLA development fund be undertaken within the municipal area.

The BJP leader alleged that such policies had adversely affected basic infrastructure in Kharagpur, claiming that road conditions in several parts of the city remain poor. He said residents continue to suffer due to inadequate civic facilities and deteriorating roads.

Targeting the All India Trinamool Congress, Ghosh said the party had failed to deliver on development and expressed confidence that voters would respond to these issues in the upcoming Assembly elections. He also claimed that the people of Kharagpur were seeking change and could support the BJP for better development prospects.

Meanwhile, Trinamool Congress leaders dismissed the allegations as politically motivated statements made in the heat of the election campaign. With the Assembly polls approaching, the political contest in Kharagpur is intensifying, with both parties stepping up their attacks against each other.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh