Trinamool Congress Member of Parliament, Nusrat Jahan, addressed criticisms on Sunday regarding her absence from Sandeshkhali, an area within her Lok Sabha constituency Basirhat, amidst recent unrest, urging for a cessation of political exploitation of the situation.
Responding to assertions from both Sandeshkhali residents and Opposition figures that she had not visited the area in the past five years, particularly during the recent turmoil, Jahan emphasized her commitment to serving her constituents during times of both prosperity and adversity.
In a statement shared via social media, the Basirhat MP rebutted a newspaper article quoting Sandeshkhali locals who expressed disappointment over unfulfilled promises made by Jahan prior to her election as their representative.
The article also cited Sandeshkhali MLA Sukumar Mahato, who remarked that Nusrat Jahan's presence in the area would have bolstered trust in the Trinamool Congress (TMC) among the residents.
Sandeshkhali, a village in the North 24 Parganas district, has been embroiled in controversy for weeks, with allegations of sexual harassment and land encroachment directed at TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikh and his associates by several women from the community.
In the same article, BJP MP Dilip Ghosh criticized Nusrat Jahan for her apparent engagement in personal celebrations like "Dog Day, Chocolate Day, and Valentine's Day" while Sandeshkhali grappled with unrest.
Responding to these criticisms, Jahan expressed dismay, affirming her dedication to her party's principles and her responsibilities as a female public representative, while stressing that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had already dispatched aid and undertaken measures to ensure the welfare of the affected people.
Asserting adherence to the law and support for the administration's efforts, Jahan advocated for unity and cooperation instead of mutual targeting, emphasizing the need to foster peace rather than discord.
Echoing her previous sentiments, Jahan reiterated her stance against politicizing the situation in Sandeshkhali, emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts to support the state administration's initiatives. She also mentioned maintaining communication with officials involved in addressing the situation.
