Rekha Patra, a prominent figure in the Sandeshkhali movement and the nominated candidate for the Basirhat Lok Sabha constituency by the BJP in West Bengal, recently received an encouraging phone call from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who hailed her as a symbol of strength, dubbing her a "Shakti Swaroopa".
During their conversation, the Prime Minister not only offered motivational words but also discussed campaign strategies, assuring her of unwavering support from the party's leadership.
In a widely circulated audio clip of their exchange, Patra recounted the initial challenges she faced upon her candidacy announcement, including the emergence of posters against her purportedly put up by local Trinamool Congress supporters.
However, she revealed that following her outreach, several local women, some with affiliations to the Trinamool, expressed regret for their actions, citing pressure from the ruling party hierarchy.
Furthermore, PM Modi offered strategic counsel for campaigning in the Basirhat Lok Sabha constituency, encompassing seven Assembly segments, including Sandeshkhali.
He emphasized the importance of shedding light on the alleged harassment endured by women in Sandeshkhali at the hands of certain Trinamool leaders, while also underscoring rampant corruption in the execution of centrally sponsored projects in West Bengal by the state government and ruling party.
Additionally, he urged Patra to spotlight instances where the state government attempted to pass off central initiatives as its own.
Patra, a resident of Patrapara in Sandeshkhali, led a quiet life in a rural West Bengal hamlet before her emergence as a political figure. Her advocacy for women's rights and leadership in the Sandeshkhali protests against purported sexual violence by local Trinamool leaders propelled her to national recognition.
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