The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has finally cleared the air regarding its candidate for one of West Bengal’s most talked-about Lok Sabha seats. Putting an end to weeks of speculation, the party has nominated actor-turned-politician Hiran Chatterjee to contest from the Ghatal constituency. Interestingly, Hiran, who is currently the MLA from Kharagpur Sadar, was widely expected to be fielded from his own backyard. However, the BJP leadership has opted for a high-stakes strategy by pitching him against TMC’s heavyweight candidate and matinee idol, Dev.

The decision to move Hiran from Kharagpur to Ghatal is seen as a tactical masterstroke to corner the Trinamool Congress in a seat they have held with a significant margin. The rivalry between Dev and Hiran is not new; the two have frequently engaged in a war of words over the implementation of the “Ghatal Master Plan” and local administrative issues. By fielding Hiran, the BJP intends to turn the contest into a high-profile “Star vs Star” battle, aiming to capitalize on Hiran’s vocal criticism of the current MP.

While some local supporters in Kharagpur expressed surprise over his shifting, Hiran remained upbeat and ready for the challenge. Speaking to the media, he emphasized that his mission is to liberate Ghatal from “corruption and unfulfilled promises.” As the electoral heat rises, all eyes are now on Ghatal to see whether the charm of the incumbent superstar Dev will prevail