Sandeshkhali Face Rekha Patra Leads in Hingalganj Race

• Rekha Patra leads over TMC rival
• Sandeshkhali protests shape her political emergence
• Bharatiya Janata Party projects her as women-centric face
• Hingalganj becomes key battleground in North 24 Parganas

GG News Bureau
Kolkata, 4th May: BJP candidate Rekha Patra has taken an early lead in the Hingalganj Assembly constituency as counting continues in the 2026 West Bengal elections, putting the spotlight on one of the state’s most closely watched contests.

Patra is ahead of Trinamool Congress nominee Ananda Sarkar in early trends, with the final outcome still awaited.

Her political rise has drawn attention across the state, stemming from her role in the Sandeshkhali protests, where she emerged as a prominent voice raising concerns over alleged local-level issues, including violence and governance lapses.

From a homemaker in North 24 Parganas, Patra transitioned into public life through grassroots activism, eventually becoming a recognisable face in regional political discourse.

The Bharatiya Janata Party later fielded her in electoral politics, first in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from Basirhat and now in the Hingalganj Assembly seat.

Her campaign has focused on women’s safety, rural governance and local concerns linked to the Sandeshkhali region, which has remained politically sensitive.

Hingalganj, a Scheduled Caste reserved constituency, includes areas close to Sandeshkhali and has witnessed intense political contestation in recent years.

Patra’s candidature has also received national attention, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi referring to her during campaign rallies, highlighting her role as a grassroots leader.

The Sandeshkhali issue continues to influence the political narrative in West Bengal, with ongoing investigations and legal proceedings keeping the matter in focus.

As counting progresses, Patra’s performance is being seen as a key indicator of how local movements are shaping electoral outcomes in rural Bengal.