Local issues centre voters minds in Balurghat

Some local issues like improper irrigation, non-availability of fertiliser and lack of rural electrification would apparently decide the fate of the candidates in Balurghat Lok Sabha seat of South Dinajpur district going to polls on April 30.      

Inadequate minimum support price for paddy and Sachar Committee report citing lack of development among Muslims are also likely to take the wind out the sail of Left Front partner RSP, political observers feel.
 
"These are allegations of Congress and Trinamool Congress combine. But, people would vote us for our staying with them throughout the years. Opposition candidates surface only during polls to seek votes," RSP candidate, Prasanta Majumdar said.      

RSP has been winning the seat since 1977. Sitting RSP MP Ranen Barman got 415,298 votes accounting for 44.87 per cent of total votes in last LS polls.      

Opposition BJP and Congress candidates together bagged 463,256 votes, which was more than half of the total votes. In 2004, BJP was backed by Trinamool Congress which joined Congress's hands this year and has put up Biplab Mitra as their candidate. 

TC and Congress have regained much of their lost ground in last year's panchayat polls by winning Buniadpur and Harirampur panchayat samities, which represent almost two assembly segments, respectively. TC won a number of gram panchayats in Gangarampur assembly segment.The loss of red bastion, Gajol assembly segment and inclusion of anti-Left Itahar and Harirampur assembly seats to to Balurghat L S seat after delimitation has bettered chances of TC candidate in this polls, observers feel.    

However, local CPI-M leaders who are backing RSP's Majumdar blamed the Centre for the simmering anger among the rural voters over minimum support price for paddy."This anger among voters would not help TC candidate in the polls. Centre has fixed the minimum support price but they have not taken the responsibility of procurement from farmers," CPI-M leader Sisir Dey said.       

However, farmers are not ready to listen.

"State government failed to curb hoarding and black marketing of fertilisers. We are forced to sell the crops at a lower price, sometimes making a loss," Sabirul Islam, a farmer said.TC candidade Biplab Mitra has urged the people to vote in his favour to get addressed their grievances in Parliament.

Rail link with Buniadpur-Kaliaganj for a smooth journey to Siliguri and Assam and extension of rail track to Hilli to facilitate export with Bangladesh have been other long-standing demands of the people here.


Highlighting the sanction of money for Eklakhi-Balurghat rail link during her tenure as Railway Minister, Mamata Banerjee too has assured voters to get their demands met.

Mamata Banerjee has also promised to take up the matter of restarting the air service from Mahinagar aerodrome near Balurghat.Another deciding factor has been the 30 per cent Muslim population which would determine the fate of the candidate if they vote en-block for a party nominee. 

Both parties are trying to woo them with promises. The district devoid of any industry, TC chief Mamata Banerjee has also promised to promote jute and paddy-based industry here.