Behrampore: Voters anticipate tough fight between Yusuf Pathan, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury

Murshidabad (West Bengal) [India], May 9 (ANI): The Behrampur Lok Sabha constituency, one of the important and prestigious seats in West Bengal under the Murshidabad District, is a hot seat in this election. The TMC candidate, Yusuf Pathan, a former cricketer, is interestingly pitted against Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, a veteran MP who has held this seat since 1999.
As a politician, this is a new battlefield for Yusuf Pathan. However, he is ready to fight against Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and assures that the people of Behrampur will support him as their new hope.
Taking all aspects into account, the local voice indicates that they're ready to accept either Yusuf or Adhir, but the "outsider candidate" is a strong issue in people's minds.
When ANI discussed this issue, most locals agreed that Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury is not only a veteran but also a local voice for them.
Papai Mandal, one of the residents of this constituency, said, "Who is Yusuf Pathan, one of the outsiders? We don't trust him as much as we do Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury. Not only is he a senior, but he is also a local candidate. If he wins again, he will definitely solve our issues."
Swapan Ghosh shared the same thoughts and remarks, "Yusuf Pathan is a cricketer, but Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury is a man of politics. He is very senior, and people accept him as their leader every time. This time also, we accept him just because the TMC candidate is not local, and for us, local leaders are important. If Yusuf Pathan wins, we don't think he will do right by us, for our constituency. This is very sure," he added.
One of the locals said, "Yusuf Pathan is a former cricketer. Who knows about him? If I say I know him, it's okay, but when I ask my family members, they don't know who Yusuf is. But if you ask about Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, all of them reply that he is our MP."
Another local, Prasenjit Sarkar, who delivers food, said, "The job crisis is one of the main issues of this Lok Sabha. I have a master's degree but have no job. At last, I started food delivery. I wish to leave this state and go to another state for a job."
Earlier, Trinamool Congress (TMC) General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee hit out at Adhir Ranjan and said, "In Berhampore, our fight is against the BJP and also their dummy candidate (from another party), who is also the BJP's agent."
"For the last 5 years, people in Bengal suffered as the BJP-led Centre stopped funds, but the Congress MP from here didn't utter a word or protest. Adhir Ranjan & CPI (M) leaders here didn't write a single letter to the Centre against their stepmotherly attitude; instead, they were busy attacking Mamata Banerjee and strengthening the BJP's hands. Adhir is the BJP's agent," he added.
Finally, he said Adhir Ranjan will finish third when the poll results are out. He questioned, "Did Adhir organise a press conference to confront the BJP for defaming Bengal in a bid to fight the TMC? No, Adhir would never speak against Modi or the BJP."
"Adhir is frustrated. He is assaulting journalists and beating people. If he doesn't remain calm or cool for the next 5-6 days, I won't be surprised if Adhir finishes 4th from Berhampore," Abhishek Banerjee added.
Polling in Baharampur Lok Sabha constituency will be held on May 13 in Phase 4. There is a triangular contest between the Congress, TMC, and BJP in Baharampur. Congress's Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, TMC's Yusuf Pathan, and BJP's Nirmal Kumar Saha are contesting in the Behrampur Lok Sabha.
West Bengal Congress President Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury is the current sitting Member of Parliament from Baharampur. Chowdhury has been a strong and influential leader in Baharampur, having secured victory for the Congress party in three consecutive terms from 2009 to 2019. Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress, which has been in power in Bengal since 2011, has not yet won the seat.
West Bengal, which sends 42 MPs to Parliament, is voting in all seven phases. Polling for six Lok Sabha seats in Bengal was held across the first three phases on April 19, April 26, and May 7. Polling for the remaining parliamentary seats will be held on May 13, May 20, May 25, and June 1. The counting of votes has been scheduled for June 4.
In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the TMC won 34 seats in the state, while the BJP had to settle for 2 seats. The CPI (M) won 2 seats, while the Congress bagged 4.
However, the BJP came up with a much-improved showing in the 2019 polls, winning 18 seats against the TMC's 22. The Congress's tally dropped to just 2 seats, while the Left scored a blank.
The 2024 Lok Sabha elections are being held in seven phases, running from April 19 to June 1. (ANI)