Lok Sabha Polls: Ex-HC Judge Gangopadhyay Vs TMC's 'Khela Hobe' Writer In Bengal's Tamluk

Formerly a stronghold of the Left, the Tamluk constituency has been under the Trinamool Congress's control since 2009.

TMC leader Debangshu Bhattacharya, and BJP leader Abhijit Gangopadhyay.

Source : ABP File, PTI

A key constituency to watch in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections is Tamluk in West Bengal. The BJP has nominated former Calcutta High Court judge Abhijit Gangopadhyay, while the Trinamool Congress has selected Debangshu Bhattacharya, head of its social media cell and the creative mind behind the party's popular 2021 campaign song 'Khela Hobe'.

Gangopadhyay, who recently resigned from his position as a judge and joined the BJP, gained attention in 2021 for his firm directives to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe alleged irregularities in teacher recruitment by the West Bengal School Service Commission.

However, his transition from the judiciary to politics has faced criticism, with the Trinamool Congress questioning the political motivations behind his past rulings concerning the teacher recruitment controversy.

In recent weeks, there has been speculation about Gangopadhyay's candidacy in Tamluk, prompting the Trinamool to field 27-year-old Bhattacharya to challenge the former judge. Bhattacharya, known for his active involvement in student politics as a member of the Trinamool Chhatra Parishad, has been managing the party's social media since 2022.

He gained recognition for penning the 'Khela Hobe' campaign song ahead of the 2021 Bengal elections. The song, crafted by the Trinamool, showcased local political nuances and highlighted the state government's welfare initiatives. Its catchy tune made it immensely popular, with several other parties adapting and incorporating it into their own campaigns.

Tamluk Seat

Formerly a stronghold of the Left, the Tamluk constituency has been under the Trinamool Congress's control since 2009. However, there's a twist to the tale. Suvendu Adhikari, who was a prominent leader of the Trinamool and won the seat in 2009 and 2014, is now a key figure of the BJP in the state.

Adhikari, then with the Trinamool, vacated the seat after winning as an MLA in the 2016 state elections. In the subsequent by-election, his brother Dibyendu Adhikari secured victory and became the MP. In the 2019 elections, Trinamool once again nominated Dibyendu Adhikari, using the family's influence in the region, and he emerged victorious.

However, the dynamics changed in the following year when Suvendu Adhikari switched allegiance to the BJP. Despite his brother Dibyendu holding onto the seat initially, he too joined the BJP.