TMC Infighting, Graft Allegations Fuel Fierce Birbhum Contests in Bolpur, Rampurhat

• Factional tensions within TMC and graft allegations set the stage for keen contests in Birbhum’s Bolpur and Rampurhat assembly constituencies.
• Anubrata Mondal, despite being in Tihar Jail, continues to influence Birbhum politics, retaining a deep grassroots network and proximity to Mamata Banerjee.
• The infighting is compounded by allegations of illegal smuggling (stone, sand, coal, cattle) and the shadow of the 2022 Bogtui killings in Rampurhat.
• Bolpur faces concerns over heritage, education, governance, and the controversy involving Nobel laureate Amartya Sen over electoral rolls.
• Rampurhat, a largely rural constituency, focuses on agriculture, irrigation, and connectivity, with incumbent Ashish Banerjee facing scrutiny over law and order.