Kolkata, 08 April (H.S.): West Bengal Chief Minister and Mamata Banerjee, who also heads the All India Trinamool Congress, on Wednesday filed her nomination papers from the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency amid a massive show of support by party workers and leaders.

Banerjee left her residence at around 10:45 am and walked to the Alipore Survey Building to submit her nomination papers, accompanied by a large procession of supporters.

Among those present during the nomination process were Kolkata Mayor and state minister Firhad Hakim, councillors, and the Chief Minister’s family members including her brothers Swapan Banerjee and Kartik Banerjee, along with other party leaders.

Police made elaborate arrangements to control the crowd, barricading parts of the road to manage the large gathering. A significant number of people lined the streets to catch a glimpse of the Chief Minister as she greeted them by waving while proceeding towards the venue.

Trinamool Congress supporters were seen raising slogans of “Jai Bangla”, while women party workers welcomed her by blowing conch shells and performing traditional ululation.

After reaching the Alipore Survey Building, Banerjee formally submitted her nomination papers. The scrutiny process is currently underway, officials said. Keeping in mind the cosmopolitan character of the Bhabanipur constituency, her list of proposers reflects representation from different religions, linguistic groups and communities.

Her proposers include Ismat (Ruby) Hakim, wife of Firhad Hakim; Nispal Singh Rane, husband of Rajya Sabha MP and actress Koel Mallick; Bablu Singh, Trinamool block president of Ward 71; and Miraj Shah of the Bhabanipur Education Society.

Notably, Banerjee is set to face Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari of the Bharatiya Janata Party from the Bhabanipur seat, making the contest one of the most closely watched battles in the upcoming Assembly elections.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh