New Delhi. In preparation for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections 2024, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday released its fifth list of candidates, which includes 111 candidates. Of these, BJP has made Rajmata Amrita Roy its candidate from Krishnanagar seat of West Bengal, where she will face Mahua Moitra of Trinamool Congress. This constituency holds significant importance in the political scenario of West Bengal.
The decision by the BJP to field Amrita Roy is being seen as a strategic move to counter the influence of Mahua Moitra in the region. Hailing from the prestigious Rajbari (Royal Palace) of Krishnanagar, Amrita Roy has been actively involved in politics, adding a royal dimension to the electoral dynamics. His possible candidacy has sparked discussion in recent days.
Amrita Roy joined the Bharatiya Janata Party on 20 March, making her a notable presence in the political spectrum of Bengal. His entry into the party has been seen as a significant development, especially in the backdrop of opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari’s presence in the BJP. With her roots in Krishnanagar, Amrita Roy adds a historical pedigree to the political discussion, given the illustrious contribution of the Krishnachandra dynasty to the history of the region.
In the last election, Mahua Moitra had won a significant victory in Krishnanagar during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. He secured 614,872 votes and defeated BJP’s Kalyan Choubey by a huge margin of 63,218 votes. Mahua Moitra’s stronghold in the region is believed to be her support from constituencies like Chopra, Palashipara and Kaliganj, where the Trinamool Congress got huge support. However, recent developments indicate the weak organizational strength of the Trinamool Congress in the region, potentially favoring the BJP.
BJP is considering deploying local influential personalities like ‘Ranima’ to increase its vote share. Amrita Roy’s candidature is seen as a strategic move by the BJP to capitalize on her royal lineage and local influence, potentially posing a tough challenge to Mahua Moitra.
Raja Krishnachandra Deva, known for his visionary leadership during the 18th century, holds a great place in Indian history, especially in Bengal. His legacy of administrative reforms, patronage of the arts and promotion of Bengali culture is still visible in the collective memory of Bengal. Born into a royal family, Krishnachandra ascended the throne of Nadia district at an early age, and established himself as a wise ruler renowned for his foresight, political acumen and practical policies. His contributions to social, cultural and administrative progress left an indelible mark on his kingdom, influencing subsequent rulers and shaping the trajectory of society and governance.