Kolkata, 24 March (H.S.): Independent candidate Rajanya Haldar, once considered a prominent leader of the All India Trinamool Congress, on Tuesday launched her election campaign from the Badtalla area of Mahishila Colony in the Asansol South Assembly constituency, intensifying the electoral contest in the region.

Contesting as an Independent after previously being associated with the Trinamool Congress youth wing, Haldar began her campaign with prayers at the Ghaghar Buri Temple before reaching out to residents in the Mahishila Badtalla area. During her interaction with locals, she appealed for support to create what she described as a new political alternative.

During the campaign, Haldar also targeted her political rivals, criticising both the BJP and Trinamool Congress candidates. She questioned the Trinamool Congress leadership’s decision not to field local leader Ashok Rudra from the Asansol South constituency and instead nominate Tapas Banerjee.

She pointed out that Banerjee had earlier won from the same constituency and served as MLA but was later shifted to Raniganj, suggesting that there must have been specific reasons behind the change. Haldar alleged that possible financial considerations or other factors could have influenced the decision.

She further claimed that Ashok Rudra, who had actively participated in movements concerning workers and teachers, was ignored by the party despite his grassroots involvement.

Targeting BJP candidate Agnimitra Paul, Haldar alleged that despite being a daughter of the area, she had not been sufficiently active in local development and spent most of her time in Kolkata. She also claimed that Paul often faces slogans such as “go back” when visiting the constituency.

Concluding her address, Haldar appealed to voters to support her in order to bring a change from what she termed traditional political practices and to establish a new political environment in the constituency.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh