CM Mamata begins North Bengal tour ahead of by-elections in 6 key Assembly seats

Mamata Banerjee, Chief Minister of West Bengal, embarked on a tour of North Bengal on Monday, November 11, 2024, ahead of the by-elections in six state assembly constituencies scheduled for Wednesday, November 13. The six constituencies in question are Madharihat in Alipurduar, Sitai in Cooch Behar, and four others across the state, which became vacant due to the resignation or disqualification of incumbent MLAs. The by-elections are seen as a key political test for the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) ahead of the 2024 general elections.

Before leaving Kolkata, Banerjee addressed reporters at the airport, urging voters to support the TMC candidates in these six constituencies. She said, "I appeal to the mothers, brothers, and sisters in these six constituencies to vote for TMC candidates. We have been with you 365 days a year and will always remain by your side. A TMC victory will expedite developmental initiatives across these regions." Banerjee’s visit to North Bengal is particularly significant as it marks her first trip to Darjeeling in almost 18 months. While she had previously visited Kurseong during this period, Darjeeling had not been part of her itinerary since the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

The Chief Minister is expected to reach Darjeeling on Monday evening and will attend a series of public engagements on Tuesday and Wednesday. Her visit to Darjeeling is seen as an effort to revive her party's connections in the region, which has seen significant political shifts in recent years, including the rise of regional parties and an increase in BJP influence. During her tour, Banerjee will meet with local leaders, attend rallies, and hold discussions with the electorate, aiming to solidify support for the TMC in North Bengal. On November 14, 2024, she is scheduled to return to Kolkata. Banerjee's itinerary also includes visits to other parts of North Bengal where TMC candidates are contesting the by-elections.

The Chief Minister's presence in the region is expected to give a boost to the party's campaign, especially in constituencies with a history of political volatility. In addition to the West Bengal by-elections, assembly elections are also taking place in Maharashtra and Jharkhand in the coming weeks. However, Banerjee refrained from commenting on these elections, stating, "I would like people to vote against the BJP." She chose not to elaborate further on the elections in other states, focusing instead on rallying support for her party’s candidates in the West Bengal by-elections.