NEW DELHI : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday called up Rekha Patra, the party’s nominee from West Bengal’s Basirhat Lok Sabha constituency that includes Sandeshkhali — the BJP’s newest battleground against the ruling Trinamool — and called her ‘shakti swaroopa’(goddess-like) for bringing atrocities against women to national limelight.
The party has projected Patra as one of the victimised women in Sandeshkhali, where a local TMC leader and his associates were held responsible for a reign of terror.
A visibly moved Patra said that for her and many others, it was like “Ram-ji” coming to their rescue. “I feel fortunate and secure. Your blessings are with me and other women of Sandeshkhali. It’s like being blessed by Lord Ram,” she said.
“We demand action against the accused. We have not been able to vote since 2011,” she said. Modi assured her that the Election Commission of India will ensure arrangements for peaceful polling. Patra requested Modi to visit Sandeshkhali to help in her campaign.
The PM said Bengal has been the land of ‘Shakti’. The term ‘shakti swaroopa’ is derived from Hindu religious scriptures, dedicated to the worship of gods Durga and Kali.
In her conversation with Patra, Modi lauded her fight against atrocities. “You fought the battle in Sandeshkhali, you are ‘shakti swaroopa’. You were instrumental in sending many powerful people to jail. You will win the polls. You are going to play a big responsibility. The country will certainly take pride in you,” said Modi.
Patra had filed the first case against the Sandeshkhali incident. In his conversation with Patra, Modi enquired about her campaign preparations and emerging public support for the BJP and her. Modi said Patra has set an example for the country’s women.
The PM also motivated her to take the message to the masses about how the TMC government was “anti-people.”
She said while speaking to the PM that all women and other residents of Sandeshkhali are happy with her candidature. She assured him that she would continue her fight against injustice done to those associated with TMC. Describing herself as a daughter of Basirhat, she said that she would get support from everyone.
She said she has no enmity with anyone. “I will do something to ensure that no one goes very far to work,” she said, adding that the situation in Sandeshkhali has been a matter of concern since 2010. “Had we been allowed to vote freely, the situation would not have come to such a pass. I want to protect the honour and dignity of people,” she asserted.
The polls in Basirhat are on June 1. The seat has more than 14 lakh voters, including nearly 7 lakh women voters.
