Widow of CRPF jawan killed in Kashmir terror attack is BJP’s Dhupguri bypoll pick

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday morning, Tapasi said, “I did not expect to be made a BJP candidate. My husband gave his life for the country and I want to dedicate my life to Dhupguri and its people. I will work towards making Dhupguri a subdivision and build a hospital here. A lot of work also needs to be done for the development of women and girl children here.”

“I am seeking the blessings of people of Dhupguri and want to work for them,” she added.

Tapasi is fielded against the ruling Trinamool Congress’s Nirmal Chandra Roy, a professor at Dhupguri Girls College, and CPM candidate Ishwar Chandra Roy, a folk artist who also has the support of the Congress, in the Rajbanshi-majority constituency.

The seat fell vacant after BJP MLA Bishnu Pada Roy passed away on July 25. The bypoll is scheduled to be held on September 5 and counting on September 8.

Bishnu Pada Roy won the seat in the 2021 Assembly polls with 10,4888 votes (45.65 per cent), defeating his nearest rival, the TMC’s Mitali Roy, who got 10,0333 votes (43.75 per cent). In 2016 Mitali Roy defeated her nearest rival, Mamata Roy of the CPM, who in 2011 beat Mina Burman, her nearest rival from the TMC.