By IANS,
Kolkata: All the five former Indian Police Service (IPS) officers who took on their old Marxist masters as Trinamool Congress candidates in West Bengal assembly polls, have emerged victorious.
Former director general of police Hyder Aziz Safwi defeated Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) candidate and sitting member Mohan Mondal from Uluberia East assembly constituency in Howrah district by a margin of 35,110 votes. Safwi bagged 96,677 votes.
“This time there was swing for the Trinammool in the assembly election. All have voted in the favour of change and I am glad to be a part of the all-conquering Trinamool team,” an excited Safwi told IANS.
“I would focus on improving the law and order situation of the state which has deteriorated over the years,” he said.
Another IPS officer, Sultan Singh made history after defeating three time CPI-M legislator Kanika Ganguly from Bally assembly constituency in Howrah, which is a known red bastion for years. Bally was the only civic body the Left had retained in 2010 civic polls, against the Trinamool Congress onslaught. Sultan captured 52,770 votes against his opponent’s 46,170.
Former inspector general of police Rachhpal Singh triumphed over Forward Bloc candidate and outgoing fire and emergency services minister Pratim Chatterjee from Tarakeshwar assembly constituency in Hooghly district. Chatterjee was a three-time legislator from Tarakeshwar seat, which was dominated by the Leftists since 1977. Rachhpal bagged 97,022 votes against Chatterjee’s 71,550.
“There is lot of expectations of the people who were deprived over years. We promise to give them good governance and as a Trinamool soldier, I would try to carry out the responsibilities given by the party leadership efficiently,” said Rachhpal Singh.
IPS officer Upendra Nath Biswas, known for his role in investigating the fodder scam in Bihar when he was a joint director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), triumphed over Forward Bloc candidate Mrinal Kanti Sikdar from Bagda assembly constituency in North 24-Parganas. Biswas bagged 92,548 votes while his opponent got 70,482 votes.
Former deputy inspector general Abani Mohan Joardar, contesting the Krishnanagar Uttor assembly seat in Nadia district, ousted sitting CPI-M member Subenoy Ghosh. Joardar captured 96,677 votes against Ghosh’s 61,567.