New Delhi: In July 2017, the twin cities of Baduria and Basirhat erupted in a communal flare-up over a comment by a minor on social media. What followed next was unprecedented public anger from the minority community that manifested through burning down cars and even killing.

Two years down the lane, communal fault lines in the constituency are still stark. Even during and after the election, the TMC wooed the minorities and the BJP wooed the Hindu votes. Nusrat Jahan, a popular Bengali movie star who fought on behalf of TMC faced the wrath for visiting a temple. Samik Bhattacharya, one of the first few legislators of BJP in the state assembly fought on the BJP ticket.

The BJP roped in former Left leaders who had joined BJP for booth management in most areas. Santanu Chakraborty, son of former CPI(M) MP from Bashirhat Ajay Chakraborty, was one of them.

In minority-dominated Basirhat Mamata Banerjee recently scrambled to address the disaffection created by Nusrat Jahan supporting the triple talaq bill. Mamata had announced, "I know few of you are upset about a comment by Nusrat. Please don't take it to heart. She is a kid. She doesn't understand all these. My party has just one stand. She won't deviate from the party stand. Just keep that in mind". 

Nusrat had said earlier, "How can you end a relationship or harass a woman by simply uttering three words? This is wrong. I extend my support for the law to curb triple talaq".