LS polls: Drinking water crisis, improving roads, preventing labour migration key issues in Bishnupur

Eight constituencies of West Bengal will go to polls in the sixth phase of Lok Sabha polls on May 25.
Out of 42 Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal 25 constituencies have already voted in the ongoing elections in five phases held between April 19 and May 20.
In the sixth phase Tamluk, Kanthi, Ghatal, Jhargram, Mednipur, Purulia, Bankura and Bishnupur will go to polls on May 25.
Bishnupur is a city of historical significance in the state of West Bengal. Bishnupur is known for its medieval terracotta temples, their architecture and Baluchari sarees. Bishnupur Lok Sabha constituency has six Assembly seats.
The drinking water crisis and demand for better roads top the election issues in the Bishnupur constituency. The other issue being discussed among locals is the plight of weavers. Besides agricultural activities carried out once a year during the monsoon are also a concern among the locals.
The lack of industries and the migration of labourers to other states for jobs are also key poll issues.
Bishnupur constituency will witness a face-off between former couple Sujata Mondal (TMC) and Khan Saumitra (BJP) in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Sital Chandra Kaibartya of the CPI (M) is also in the fray.
Sujata Mondal joined the Trinamool Congress in December 2020.
BJP leader Khan Saumitra said, “I would request her to stop using the surname ‘Khan’. I am severing all relations with Sujata today. I also request the media to not label her as a ‘Khan’.”
TMC candidate Sujata Mondal said that this is the fight against “injustice” and hoped that voters of Bishnupur would choose their daughter.
“This is a fight against injustice, hope Bishnupur chooses Ghorer Mein (daughter of the home). If you asked about me and my connection with Bishnupur everyone knows I spent my all time at Bishnupur and I’m trying to stand with the people of Bishnupur. I’m the daughter of Bishnupur. This is not only a political battle for me this is a battle of injustice with two rivals,” Mondal said.
TMC named Mondal as the candidate from Bishnupur, while the BJP announced Khan’s candidature for the seat earlier in March.
She further said, “Everyone knows about him (Saumitra Khan), not only me everybody knows about our past story now I’m ready for this battle and wish me luck.”
The couple got divorced in 2020 after Mondal joined politics as a member of the TMC in the run-up to the 2021 assembly elections.
Khan, a TMC defector, joined the BJP ahead of the 2019 elections.
Following his defection, a police case was lodged against him for allegedly extorting money from job aspirants. The Kolkata High Court prevented him from entering his constituency. He won in 2019 without even holding any political rally in the area.
In 2019, BJP’s Khan Saumitra defeated Shyamal Santra from TMC by 78,047 votes. Sujata Mondal was instrumental in Khan winning the seat in 2019, as initially, he was not able to campaign in certain parts of the constituency due to a restraining order from the court.
In 2014, Saumitra contesting on TMC ticket secured victory defeating CPI (M) candidate Susmita Bauri by 149,685 votes.
Despite being a CPI (M) bastion till 2014, Khan managed to break the stranglehold of the Left in the area.
Locals have hailed Khan for his effort to improve the rail network in his constituency and improve connectivity to Kolkata.
Another concern for TMC is the mobilisation of the crowd at the roadshow of Home Minister Amit Shah which he held recently in Bankura.
With the TMC and BJP evenly poised and the CPI(M) hoping to make a comeback, Bishnupur is set to witness a close contest.
The polling for 42 seats of West Bengal is being held across all seven phases. The counting of votes is scheduled for June 4.
In 2019, BJP made strong inroads into TMC’s hold in West Bengal, by winning 18 seats and being a close second to TMC, which won 22 seats