For the longest time Jalpaiguri Lok Sabha constituency had a single winner in Congress. But from 1980 to 2009, Left-ruled the roost with likes of Minati Sen winning thrice at a row. As the Left has slowly got relegated to the fringes of Bengal politics, Jalpaiguri too has seen a sea change. Even in 2014 LS and 2016 Assembly elections, Left was the second biggest force. Not any more. In 2019, it is BJP candidate Jayanta Ray who can give a good fight against sitting TMC MP Bijoy Chandra Barman.
Barman won the seat by 74 thousand votes in 2014. In 2016, TMC extended the lead to 1.25 lakh if one compiles the results of assembly segments under Jalpaiguri Lok Sabha seat. It also swept the Panchayat elections with the opposition alleging that it wasn't allowed to contest from several regions. In 2019, TMC's greatest fear is internal fight and opposition which may get united unofficially in order to save their existence.
In this SC-reserved seat, CPM has fielded Bhagirath Roy and Congress leader Manikumar Darnal is also in fray. But TMC leaders believe that grassroots workers of Congress and CPM may transfer votes to doctor Jayata Roy, as they believe, that he is the right man to stop TMC.
Mekliganj, Dhupguri, Maynaguri, Jalpaiguri, Rajganj, Dabgram-Phulbari Mal assembly segments are under Jalpaiguri Lok Sabha. In total, there are over 16 lakh voters who will decide the fate of the candidates on 18th April.
Adivasi, Nepali and Bengalis are the major voting groups in Jalpaiguri. The issue of NRC and Citizenship Bill have dominated the poll rhetoric alongside the issue of nationalism which has been highlighted by BJP. These have dwarfed to an extent traditional issues of North Bengal like closed tea gardens,tribal welfare etc. Jalpaiguri is one of the seat, BJP is bullish about. Will TMC candidate Barman get beaten? We will know on May 23.
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