BJP starts SMC campaign

TT, Siliguri, June 3: The BJP today kicked off the campaign for the upcoming elections to Siliguri Municipal Corporation with a focus on the alleged failure of the previous civic board to provide basic services to people.

The party held a number of small gatherings at different places in town and also submitted a memorandum to the SMC commissioner demanding an improvement in civic services today.

“Considering the current political scene here in Siliguri where large number of people have voted for the BJP in the recent Lok Sabha polls, we are confident that they want a change at the SMC. Trinamul leaders know they will be defeated in the civic polls and that is why they are trying to defer the elections. The BJP’s campaign began today and we are confident of securing a majority at the SMC,” said Rathindra Bose, the Darjeeling district president of the BJP.

The BJP claims it was ahead in 21 of 47 wards at the SMC in the Lok Sabha polls. In Siliguri Assembly segment, which comprises 33 SMC wards, the BJP secured a lead of over 7,000 votes over Trinamul. The remaining 14 (added) wards are in Dabgram-Fulbari Assembly segment in Jalpaiguri Lok Sabha seat.

Bose said the BJP would hold meetings and other programmes to apprise the people of the previous SMC board’s failure to meet the people’s aspirations. “Siliguri residents removed Left Front from the SMC in 2009 and brought the Congress and Trinamul to power. They were hoping for better development and improved services. But the board failed to provide even basic amenities like water supply, conservancy and roads to the people. Residents of the 14 added wards are not even getting drinking water and conservancy service,” he said.