The political atmosphere in Tarakeswar has turned volatile following a sensational press conference by BJP candidate Santu Pan. Armed with official documents and data, Santu Pan launched a blistering attack on the ruling Trinamool Congress, accusing them of “systematic fraud” against the farming community. Focusing primarily on the potato farmers of Hooghly, Santu claimed that the state government’s claims of development are nothing but a “mirage.”

Santu Pan alleged that farmers are being forced to pay exorbitant rates for cold storage, far exceeding the government-fixed prices. He further exposed a massive scam involving the Kisan Credit Card and agricultural loans, producing files that allegedly show how subsidies intended for poor farmers are being diverted to middlemen and ‘syndicates’ close to the ruling party. “The farmer sweats blood in the field, but the profit is looted by the brokers protected by the government,” Santu remarked during the briefing.

The BJP candidate’s fact-based offensive has put the local TMC leadership on the defensive. Santu Pan promised a complete overhaul of the crop insurance system and a direct-to-market mechanism to eliminate middlemen if the BJP comes to power. As the election fever peaks, Santu’s strategy to turn the ‘Farmer Distress’ into a central poll issue is gaining massive traction among the rural electorate in Tarakeswar, posing a significant challenge to the ruling regime.