Basirhat: BJP's Basirhat candidate Rekjha Patra exuded confidence in the party and said that people in the regions haven't been able to vote since 2011, but today, they can vote confidently. She further slammed TMC for trying to derail the people, which failed as the people stayed united.

"We have not been able to vote since 2011. Today, I can confidently say that we will be able to vote," Patra told news agency ANI.

"The agitation that began in Sandeshkhali was not just for voting, it was for our honour...TMC tried to derail our agitation but they turned out to be unsuccessful because everyone in Sandeshkhali is united," she added.

On a positive note, Rekha Patra hopes the people of Basiraht supports the saffron party.

"All families of Basirhat are our family, we are with them and I hope they will be with us."

Who is Rekha Patra?

Rekha Patra is a housewife and was one of the victims who TMC's Shahjahan Sheikh allegedly abused. It was Rekha, who first raised the voice in the region against Sheikh and his associates and accused them of "land-grabbing and sexual assault." She conducted protests with her daughter.

Rekha became one of the few candidates who received a call from PM Modi. After her candidature, the PM referred to her as "Shakti Swaroopa" and highlighted her legal battle in Sandeshkhali.

In anticipation of the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections, she was one of the 19 candidates listed by the BJP for Bengal.

India heads towards the final and last stage of the Lok Sabha elections 2024 on Friday, June 01, with Basirhat being one of the crucial seats amid the Sandeshkhali agitation in the region that rocked West Bengal.