Bengal’s most-deprived region Jangalmahal sees fierce battle

Eight seats spread across five districts in the southwestern parts of West Bengal, including the coastal district of Purba Medinipur, head to polls in the penultimate phase of the Lok Sabha election on May 25.

Eight seats spread across five districts in the southwestern parts of West Bengal, including the coastal district of Purba Medinipur, head to polls in the penultimate phase of the Lok Sabha election on May 25.

Southwestern Bengal, popularly known as Jangalmahal region, witnessed large-scale violence between Communist Party of India (Maoist) cadre and security forces from 2007-11. It is set for a direct contest between the Trinamool Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party.

The region has been on the boil for the past few years due to the Kurmi agitation, with the community listed in Other Backward Class (OBC) category demanding inclusion in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) list. Leaders of Kurmi community have fielded Independent candidates on seats across the Jangalmahal region.

One of the most deprived regions of the State, stoppage of funds under the rural employment guarantee Act (MGNREGA) for the past two years has resulted in widespread economic distress, and emerged as a major poll issue.

The eight seats here that go to polls on May 25 are Purulia, Jhargram, Midnapore, Ghatal, Bankura, Bishnupur, Tamluk, and Kanthi. 

While Purulia is up for a contest between sitting BJP MP Jyotirmoy Singh Mahato and Trinamool candidate Shantiram Mahato, Jhargram has seen both parties field new faces - Sahitya Akademi winner and Santali author Kalipada Soren pads up for Trinamool against the BJP’s Pranat Tudu, a doctor. At Midnapore, the contest is between two actor-turned-politicians, BJP’s Aginimitra Paul and Trinamool’s June Mailah. Both are MLAs from their respective parties.

The adjoining Ghatal seat too sees prominent names of Bengali film industry, Trinamool’s Dipak Adhikari alias Dev and the  BJP’s Hiranmoy Chatterjee alias Hiran, cross swords. Mr. Dev has been representing the constituency since 2014 and BJP’s Mr. Hiran is the MLA of Kharagpur Sadar Assembly segment.