PM Modi speaks to BJP's Basirhat candidate Rekha Patra, calls her 'Shakti Swaroopa'

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday called up Rekha Patra, BJP's Lok Sabha candidate from Basirhat in West Bengal, and lauded her as "Shakti Swaroopa". Rekha was instrumental in raising voice against alleged atrocities by local Trinamool Congress (TMC) strongman Shajahan Sheikh and his cronies in Sandeshkhali. The BJP picked her up as its candidate from Basirhat Lok Sabha seat, under which the village falls.

The Basirhat seat is currently represented by the ruling Trinamool Congress. Sheikh, who has been suspended by the TMC, and some of his associates have been arrested in connection with attack on ED officials and are in CBI custody.

PM Narendra Modi also reached out to Prof TN Sarasu, BJP candidate from Alathur, Kerala. He asked about her campaign progress and assured action on Co-operative bank scam culprits.

Earlier, Handwritten posters denouncing the candidature of Rekha Patra appeared in Sandeshkhali area.

Posters bearing slogans such as 'We don't want Rekha as a candidate' and 'We don't want Rekha Patra as BJP candidate' were seen a day after BJP announced her nomination from the seat.

Patra was also among the women group that met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of his public meeting in Barasat on March 6 and narrated the plight of Sandeshkhali women to the PM.

Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas district was on the boil for several days over allegations of sexual atrocities on women and grabbing by Sheikh and his cohorts.