Central Team Reaches Sandeshkhali Amid BJP Workers' Allegations Of Threat | News18 Ground Report

West Bengal’s Sandeshkhali has been in the headlines for the past six months with allegations of land grab and sexual assault. While the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lost the Basirhat Lok Sabha seat covering the area by more than two lakh votes, the party did well in the Sandeshkhali assembly constituency. Even as the results are out, the allegations of threats and counter claims are still on in.

The BJP has formed a four-member Central fact-finding team including Biplab Deb, Ravi Shankar Prasad, Brij Lal and Kavitha Patidar. The team travelled across various districts of North and South Bengal over two days, reaching Sandeshkhali on Tuesday. They did not go to the main Sandeshkhali island, but they entered Bamangheri area of Sandeshkhali.

A section of local BJP workers came running to meet the team. Rekha Patra, who was the BJP Lok Sabha candidate, stood there with women. Prasad and Lal referred to her as “Sandeshkhali Sherni”. Patra smiled, saying, “All mothers and sisters in Sandeshkhali are shernis, but you are supporting us which is why we are able to fight.”

Local BJP cadre claimed that they have been facing intimidation from the results day.

Speaking to News18, Prasad said, “Look at the women of Sandeshkhali. They have raised their voice against atrocities. They are hopeful, which proves that Bengal will get independence from atrocities soon.”

The leaders assured the BJP cadre that they will stand by them.

Anupama, a BJP worker, told News18: “Didi, we are afraid as they are intimidating us. On poll day, there was violence. They thrashed our men. We still conducted the polls, but on result day, they started to threaten us. They are now saying, “Khela hobe”.”

Not much has changed for some living in Sandeshkhali.

Another local Minati told News18: “Results have come out. We have lost, but their threats have increased. Our leaders are visiting, but we don’t know what lies ahead.”

The BJP leaders said they will submit a report to the party high command. The Trinamool Congress (TMC), meanwhile, said the Central team has come for political tourism. Locals, however, feel Sandeshkhali has been caught in a political battle.