Moon Moon Sen plays star card to launch Bankura election campaign

Veteran actor Moon Moon Sen formally launched her campaign as the Trinamool Congress (TMC) candidate from Bankura constituency of West Bengal on Sunday by introducting herself as daughter of Bengali screen-icon Suchitra Sen.

Contesting against nine-time CPM parliamentarian Basudeb Acharya, Sen ruled the hearts of many. She was greeted with slogans of 'Vande Mataram', and flowers and bouquets as she entered the tribal belt of Raipur in Bankura district. Sen, still carrying the oomph factor of her days as a young actor, turned several heads as awestruck men and women jostled to catch a glimpse of the star to click pictures. "I am happy we have such a beautiful candidate. We are happy she is spending time with us. She is making us feel good, I will surely vote for her", said Jhuma Kormi, clad in a salwaar suit.

Even as she continued to campaign in the scorching heat, the TMC candidate managed to maintain her cool and charm as she appealed to the 'manush' (people) of Bankura to see her through her journey. |"I am tired of giving answers about nine-time parliamentarian Basudeb Acharya. The people of Bankura voted for him. Now, they will not do it anymore. Medical facilities and education facilities lack here. I want to work for them," she said. "I have come here to work for you all. Call me again to your area. I will be there for you. Don't forget to vote for daughter of Suchitra Sen and my party, TMC," she said.

Sen belongs to a royal family of Tripura that also happens to be a Scheduled Tribe. On this, she said, "Well, yes, it helps a lot in the state and in other states too. A lot of women from royal families have joined politics. Vasundhara Raje; Gayatri Devi too is there and now a new one," she added.

Sen's charm caught many people's attention: Kanchan Pramanik said, "We have come to see Moon Moon here; we want someone to take care of us, work for the poor."

Jharna Lohar, a local resident dressed in a printed saree, had a similar opinion: "Our candidate Moon Moon Sen has come here. We are happy to see her and have never seen her face-to-face before. We are happy." "Well, (I) am a little popular and have been paying the price for being so! But I have a trust which is an added advantage for my party," Sen said.

While Sen's star charm managed to gain favor with some. She failed to impress others. "I don't feel she will be able to do any work. She can be a leader and star in cinema, but that does not mean she can be a star in politics too," said Shanti Mahato, another local.

In spite of the soaring heat, Sen brimmed with confidence, her trademark good cheer and enthusiasm. She said she felt that belonging to a "proud industry" would help her perform better in politics. "Maa will play an important role in it. She is not here physically but in spirit to guide me. I am a proud daughter and I don't know why I should not say I am Suchitra Sen's daughter and why should my party not say the same. She is loved by everyone," she said.

"My daughters will come to campaign with me when I file nominations...they will move around in an open jeep with me. Mamata wants them to hold a few rallies too," she said. It now remains to be seen if Trinamool Congress' star power can assemble ballots. Bankura constituency votes on May 7.