Senior Left and Congress leaders — poll allies under the Sanjukta Morcha banner — accused the Mamata Banerjee government of failing to create jobs for Bengal’s youths and the saffron camp of playing the polarisation card for electoral gains.

On Monday, state Congress chief Adhir Ranjan Choudhury and CPM state secretary Surjyakanta Mishra, along with leaders and candidates of both parties, attended a public meeting in Baghajatin Park of Siliguri. This was the first major public event organised by the Sanjukta Morcha or the Left-Congress-ISF alliance in north Bengal. However, no one from the ISF was present.

Actor-turned-MP Deb at road shows in support of Trinamul Congress candidates in Cooch Behar Pictures by Main Uddin Chisti, Kousik Sen and Biplab Basak

Mishra, addressing the gathering of 5,000-odd people, said Trinamul was all set to lose the elections. “So far, two phases of elections have been held. There are clear indications that they cannot thwart the BJP…” said Mishra.

Asok Bhattacharya, the CPM MLA of Siliguri who is contesting from the seat again, said they are striving to retain the three seats of Siliguri sub-division. In 2016, Bhattacharya won from Siliguri and the Congress from the other two seats (Matigara-Naxalbari and Phansidewa).

“We are also putting every effort to win the Dabgram-Fulbari seat this time,” said Bhattacharya.

Nusrat Jahan at Dalkhola in North Dinajpur on Monday Pictures by Main Uddin Chisti, Kousik Sen and Biplab Basak

Dabgram-Fulbari comes under Jalpaiguri district but comprises 14 wards of Siliguri Municipal Corporation. State tourism minister Gautam Deb, the two-time Trinamul MLA from the seat, is looking at a hat-trick. The CPM has pitted Dilip Singh against Deb.

Earlier in the day, Choudhury attended a road show in Jalpaiguri and spoke at a meeting in Ghughudanga on the outskirts of Jalpaiguri town.

“The Trinamul government here has completely failed to create job opportunities for youths of the state. That is why unemployed youths are forced to migrate to other states in search of jobs,” said Choudhury.

Bengal Congress president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury (left) at a road show in support of the party’s candidate Sukhbilas Burma in Jalpaiguri Pictures by Main Uddin Chisti, Kousik Sen and Biplab Basak

“The BJP comes up with lengthy promises but does not deliver. During BJP’s regime, attacks on poor and backward classes have increased across the country. If we are voted to power, youths, farmers and other sections of the society would be helped,” the Congress leader added.

Bhaichung’s message

Popular former footballer Bhaichung Bhutia has posted a video message for Siliguri residents on Monday, urging people to vote for CPM candidate Asok Bhattacharya.

“He is a sincere politician and was instrumental in carrying out comprehensive development in Siliguri and in north Bengal as a whole. People should vote for a right leader like Asok Bhattacharya,” Bhaichung said in his message.

Back in the 2016 Assembly polls, Bhaichung had been fielded in the seat as a Trinamul candidate against Bhattacharya. Bhaichung, however, got defeated by 14,072 votes.

Later, Bhaichung, who hails from Sikkim, quit Trinamul and formed a political party in Sikkim.