CM Mamata Banerjee in Sandeshkhali today
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will be visiting Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas district on Monday, marking her first visit since the sexual harassment controversy broke out earlier this year.
Several local women had made allegations of sexual harassment and land grabbing by local Trinamool Congress leader Sheikh Shahjahan, who has since been suspended by the party, and his two aides, Shibu Prasad Hazra and Uttam Sardar.
The Chief Minister announced on December 26 that she would attend an official programme in Sandeshkhali on December 30, where she will hand over documents of public services to 100 beneficiaries.
“On Monday, 20,000 individuals will be handed over such papers from different camps established there on that day,” Banerjee said.
When the controversy first broke out, doubts were raised from various quarters, including opposition parties, regarding why the Chief Minister had avoided visiting Sandeshkhali. Political observers believe her visit now is significant, as she is expected to make important announcements during her trip.
On January 5, Sandeshkhali hit the headlines when a group of Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials and their escorting Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel were attacked while attempting a raid at the residence of Sheikh Shahjahan in connection with the multi-crore ration distribution case in West Bengal.
Following the raid, local residents whose land was allegedly grabbed by Shahjahan and his associates, along with the women who had allegedly been victims of sexual harassment, took to the streets to protest.
The Trinamool Congress has claimed that the sexual harassment allegations were politically motivated and intended to defame the party ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha election. However, the BJP has argued that the allegations are a reflection of Trinamool misrule and the exploitation of women.
In the 2019 Lok Sabha election, the Trinamool Congress won the Basirhat seat, which includes the Sandeshkhali Assembly constituency.
Sheikh Shahjahan was arrested on February 29 after evading the police for about two months.
Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari has announced that he will hold a ‘Jana Sanjog Yatra’ in the area the day after the Chief Minister’s visit.
