BJP'S ROYAL CHALLENGERS

Over 10 descendants of erstwhile royal families named as candidates

- RAJESH KUMAR THAKUR

THE BJP has fielded over 10 descendants of erstwhile royal families in the Lok Sabha elections, some of whom are making their political debut.

The BJP has picked 'Rajmata' Amrita Roy of the erstwhile Krishnanagar royal family to take on Mohua Moitra of the Trinamool Congress in the Krishnanagar constituency in West Bengal. Moitra was expelled as an MP over the cash-for-query case, and is facing a CBI investigation in the case.

Amrita Roy, who is making her political debut, belongs to the 18th-century Raja Krishnachandra Roy's family of Nadia. Roy has credited Raja Krishnachandra Roy with saving Sanatana Dharma and the Bengali language by siding with the British against Nawab Siraj-ud Daula during the Battle of Plassey in 1757.

As per available records, Krishnachandra Roy was a zamindar (landlord) and raja (king) from 1728 to 1782. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a recent telephonic conversation, lauded Amrita Roy's commitment to fighting corruption and the royal family's contributions towards social reforms.

"The BJP maintains equality with everyone, whether a film star or a simple worker or former queen and king. We have made many members of ‘shahi parivar' party candidates for the Lok Sabha elections," said a senior functionary of the BJP.