WB ASSEMBLY ELECTION

Ananta Roy feels no wind of change at Mathabhanga

State forest minister Mr Ananta Roy feels no 'wind of change' blowing over Mathabhanga. He won from Mathabhanga Assembly segment in 2006 and this time too he expects a good result.

Mr Roy said those who talked about the so-called 'wind of change' felt the situation after the previous three-tier panchayat elections. In that election the Trinamul Congress won in several places but widespread corruption, violence and illegal grabbing of lands made them dissociated from the people of concerned areas. "Maintaining of peace is our main issue in this election. At the same time we are promising of development like water supply and construction of roads", he said.

Denying the allegation against him that he is an outsider at Mathabhanga as he is a resident of Cooch Behar-II block, Mr Roy said he is no outsider. He is a resident of Cooch Behar district and the people of Mathabhanga voted in his favour in the previous election too. It is nothing but a worthless allegation brought forward by the Trinamul Congress, he said.

The Trinamul Congress also alleged that he seldom visited the constituency from where he won. Replying this allegation Mr Roy claimed that it was a baseless allegation. "I came here as and when required but the local Trinamul Congress leaders tried their best to create troubles. They organised me black flag demonstrations several times but I still enjoy the support of local peace-loving people", he explained.

In his counter allegation the outgoing MLA of Mathabhanga, Mr Ananta Roy said the Trinamul Congress is in power at six Gram Panchayats in Mathabhanga but large-scale corruption is the only thing that they are practising in those areas.

He also denied that he was a failure as a forest minister. He claimed that as the minister his liability is not limited in Mathabhanga only. He is liable to do well for the people at everywhere in the state. Bringing of NOCs for setting up of two colleges at Ghoksadanga and Nishiganj are among the best achievements during his tenure, he claimed.