Gautam Deb meets family after minor girl’s suspicious death in Siliguri, Shankar Ghosh stages dharna

Siliguri’s electoral atmosphere has turned somber and politically charged following the suspicious death of a minor girl in the city. Shankar Ghosh, the BJP candidate for the upcoming assembly elections, announced on Tuesday an indefinite suspension of all his election campaigning and public outreach activities. Taking a firm moral stand, Ghosh stated that he would not return to the campaign trail until the accused individuals are arrested and justice is served for the bereaved family.

The BJP leader escalated his protest after an earlier deadline he set for the local authorities passed without any concrete arrests. On Tuesday, Ghosh staged a high-profile dharna at the base of the Ambedkar statue near Siliguri Junction, declaring that his fight for the "daughter of Siliguri" takes precedence over political gains. This move has sparked intense discussion across North Bengal, with many observers noting that the suspension of activities by a key candidate could significantly alter the local electoral dynamics.

Simultaneously, Siliguri Mayor and Trinamool Congress (TMC) candidate Gautam Deb visited the victim’s family to offer condolences and administrative support. Accompanied by Deputy Mayor Ranjan Sarkar and other senior officials, Deb spent considerable time with the family, assuring them that the state administration is committed to a fast-track investigation. While the Mayor demanded strict punishment for the culprits, he urged rival parties not to "politicize a tragedy" for electoral mileage.

This dual development comes at a sensitive time, coinciding with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s ongoing tour of North Bengal. While the TMC maintains that the law is taking its course, the BJP’s decision to halt its campaign has put the local administration under immense pressure.