West Bengal: Ex Cop Prasun Banerjee Is TMC’s candidate From Maldah Uttar (image-X/AITC_Prasun)Days after taking voluntary retirement and resigning from his post, Prasun Banerjee has been fielded as the TMC candidate from Maldah Uttar Lok Sabha constituency.
The former Maldah Superintendent of Police (SP) started off his campaigning from the Maldah Assembly constituency, warning the Central Paramilitary Forces. He warned the BSF as well as paramilitary forces to work within the law. Seeking free and fair elections, free from any pressure from the paramilitary forces, the former IPS officer said that if the paramilitary tried to intimidate the crowd, then they would teach them a lesson.
“I am Prasun Banerjee. Main hoon na,” he added.
Prasun Bandyopadhyay, the ‘colourful’ TMC candidate from Uttar Malda and former police officer, warns central forces and election commission.
He said, “I am telling all the BSF, paramilitary to stay within the law. We will also stay within the law. Let the elections be free and… pic.twitter.com/tjwiDjmokg
— Amit Malviya (मोदी का परिवार) (@amitmalviya) March 17, 2024
The 2006 batch IPS officer of West Bengal, Mr. Banerjee, served as the SP of South Dinajpur and Malda range. With a career spanning nearly twenty years, Mr. Banerjee was also the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Malda and Balurghat.
The former cop’s immediate nomination on the TMC ticket has raised concerns among the BJP party workers.
Prasun Banerjee, TMC candidate for Malda Uttar was an IPS officer even 24 hours ago. Just ahead of the announcement of candidature he resigned.
Imagine the plight of BJP workers who fell under his jurisdiction while he was a cop. pic.twitter.com/77qTOgJEpO— Keya Ghosh (Modi Ka Parivar) (@keyakahe) March 10, 2024
Mr. Banerjee has also dabbled in acting in the Bengali film industry. He appears in films like Desher Mati, and Sona Roder Gaan. He has also directed plays such as Shakunir Pasha and Droh Kaal. Turning to directing, he has helmed a short film called Just Across the River and a documentary called Paradise Lost.
The Maldah constituency ceased to exist in 2009, and two new constituencies came into existence: Maldah Uttar and Maldah Dakshin. In both the 2009 and 2014 elections, Congress candidate Mausam Noor secured victory both times. However, Noor lost the seat to the BJP’s Khagen Murmu, who won with 5 lakh votes.
The Maldah Uttar Lok Sabha constituency has over 45 percent Muslim voters, 23.8 percent SC voters, and 10.3 percent ST voters. The Maldah Uttar Lok Sabha constituency comprises Vidhan Sabhas including Habibpur (ST reserved), Gazole (SC reserved), Chanchal, Harishchandrapur, Malatipur, Ratua, and Maldaha (SC reserved).